Diversity and distribution of deep sea Bryozoa from Andaman waters

In Andaman waters, the phylum bryozoa was understudied. Considering the geographical and related maritime aspects, an extensive study on marine bryozoa is most needed in this island waters. Aiming to find out the distribution and diversity of the deep-sea bryozoan of Andaman waters, a study was carried out in the seven sites of the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Andaman Sea. The samples were dredged using sampling gears, during the scientific cruise of FORV Sagar Sampada along Andaman Islands on November, 2017. The investigation was yielded eighteen Cheilostome bryozoan species. A total of 18 species belonging to 11 genera of 10 families coming under 7 super families and 1 suborder of Cheilostomes were listed out from the study. Out of this result, 15 species are first reports from the Indian EEZ. This study has also occupied the paucity of the study of distribution and diversity of deep sea bryozoan from Andaman Islands, after nine decades.