An updated checklist of Echinoderms from Indian waters

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Ecology
• Taxonomy

Background:

• Species checklists are vital for conservation and management strategies.
• Biodiversity assessments face challenges due to taxonomic inconsistencies like synonyms and alternate representations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review and validate the species checklist of Phylum Echinodermata from Indian waters.
• To address taxonomic inflation and its impact on conservation efforts.

Main Methods:

• A critical review of existing echinoderm checklists and distributional records from Indian waters.
• Validation of species names using the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) database.

Main Results:

• Identified 236 incorrect entries, including synonyms, emendations, nomina dubia, and alternate representations.
• A revised checklist of Indian echinoderms now includes 741 valid species across 28 orders and 107 families.
• The revised checklist comprises 182 asteroids, 70 crinoids, 138 echinoids, 179 holothuroids, and 172 ophiuroids.

Conclusions:

• Taxonomic inconsistencies inflate biodiversity records, leading to inaccurate species distribution and potentially hindering conservation efforts.
• Accurate species checklists are essential for effective biodiversity management and conservation planning in India.