
Lionfish - Pterois sp.

Blue ring angel - Pomacanthus annularis
About us
We are interested in studying various subjects that include taxonomy, biology, and evolutionary ecology. Our primary model systems are coral reef fishes and caridean shrimps, especially when it posses an ornamental value and symbiotic relationship with other organisms. The representatives of reef fishes and caridean shrimps mainly occur in the tropical and sub-tropical latitudes, in shallow-water habitats with the highest diversity found in Indo-West Pacific (IWP) region. This remarkable diversity has driven these organisms to various lifestyle adaptations such as morphological, physiological and behavior.
Using a broad approach combining taxonomy, genetics, and conservation biology, we try to answer questions such as:
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How the physiology, biogeography, and evolution drives the diversification process in reef organisms of the Indo-Pacific?
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How can the ornamental fisheries be sustainably utilized for the benefit of fisherman's livelihood and in parallel conserving natural stocks in the wild?
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Do these organisms undergo physiological and molecular adaptations to changing climatic conditions?

Partner shrimp - Urocaridella antonbruunii

Anemone shrimp - Ancylocaris brevicarpalis
RECENT NEWS

Paper published in the journal Zootaxa which includes few of the crinoid associated crustacean decapods collected from the Lakshadweep Islands

Paper published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa and one of our image has been featured in the Cover page of the April 2020 issue

Paper published in Current Science. See below for more details
