​An Annotated Checklist of Elasmobranchs Along the Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu, Southeast Coast of India

Background: Elasmobranch is one of the largest marine fish resources, consisting of sharks, sawfishes, rays and skates. A worldwide estimate of elasmobranch diversity reveals 815 species coming under 9 orders, 42 families and 164 genera, of which 359 species are sharks and 456 are skates and rays. Hence, it has been planned to investigate the biodiversity and fishery of elasmobranchs along the Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu, Southeast India. Methods: Elasmobranch specimens were collected during June 2019 to March 2020 from three main landing centres of Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu viz Royapuram (Chennai), Cuddalore and Nagapattinam Fishing Harbours. Sampling was done fortnightly in the above three landing centres. The specimens were collected from the catches of trawl nets, bottom set gillnets and hook and lines. The specimens were identified morphologically in the landing centres itself based on the valid taxonomic keys. Result: In the present study, 67 species of elasmobranch belonging to 7 orders, 21 families and 46 genera were recorded. Of the 7 orders, Carcharhiniformes had the largest number of species (27). Among the 25 families, Carcharhinidae (21) had the largest representation.