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Microplastics (MPs) contamination has increased significantly due to inadequate plastic waste, leading to MPs infiltration in marine organisms. Crustaceans, especially the anomuran crabs, represented significant benthic communities in the intertidal zone. The current investigation aims to check the variation in MP contamination in Hermit crab Clibanarius rhabdodactylus inhabiting the intertidal and subtidal zone of Gujarat state, India. A total of 50 crabs (25 males and 25 females) of C. rhabdodactylus were collected from both zones along the coast of Gujarat in January and February 2024. In the laboratory, hermit crabs were weighed, dissected, and processed for tissue digestion. Sediment and water samples also underwent digestion. All samples were then processed through flotation, filtration, microscopic observation, and chemical characterization. The higher contamination was recorded in intertidal specimens than in subtidal specimens. The MP contamination in C. rhabdodactylus varied significantly between intertidal and subtidal specimens. MP contamination in both habitats was greater in females than in males. MP contamination in sediment and water was higher in the intertidal region than in the subtidal region, with no significant difference. Morphometric examination of MPs indicated the maximum abundance of fibers in terms of MP shape, followed by fragments and films. Black coloured MPs with 0.5–1 mm size were recorded dominantly in both habitats. The isolated MPs were primarily composed of polyethylene and polypropylene polymers. This study proposed immediate measures to address the issue of effective management of plastic litter in the marine ecosystem of the state. The present study revealed that MPs are widely distributed in the intertidal region and possess a greater risk of MP accumulation than those in the subtidal region.

In the present study species of the genus Byblis Boeck, 1871, found in India are discussed. Previously, two species of the genus Byblis: B. daleyi (Giles, 1890b) and B. lepta (Giles, 1890a) were recorded from India. The taxonomy and world distribution of the two previously reported species is discussed in the study. Additionally, a new species Byblis kachchhensis sp. nov. is also described based on the specimens collected from Gujarat state, India. This new species is differentiated from its closely related species B. calisto Imbach, 1967 by having large eyes placed very close to each other and entire telson.

A recently described species Conchoecetes pembawa McLay & Naruse, 2019 is distributed in Malaysia and Western Australia. The present study reports the presence of this species for the first time in India based on a female specimen collected from Digha Mohana, East Midnapore District, West Bengal State, India showing westward extension in the distribution range of the species.

A species of pebble crab, Alox chaunos Galil & Ng, 2007 is recorded for the first time from India. The specimen examined was collected from the trawl catch at Digha Mohana, West Bengal state, India. Alox chaunos can be identified based on the carapace surface covered with mushroom-like tubercles, irregular pits, a prominent groove on the surface running parallel to the anterolateral carapace margin, and a slender male first gonopod (G1), slightly twisted in its distal half. The shape of the second gonopod (G2) illustrated in previous studies appears aberrant; an accurate illustration is provided herein. Alox chaunos can be differentiated from its close congener A. rugosum based on carapace shape, groove pattern, long telson, and narrow G1 distally. The species was originally described from specimens collected in the Philippines, redescribed based on specimens from Japan and is reported here for the first time from India.

The population structure and breeding biology of the Xanthid crab, (H. Milne Edwards, 1834), on the rocky intertidal region of Shivrajpur in Saurashtra coast, Gujarat state, were examined. From March 2021 to February 2022, monthly sampling was conducted during low tide using catch per unit effort in the 500 m area. The sampled specimens were categorised into male, non-ovigerous female or ovigerous female. In order to estimate fecundity, the morphology of the crab specimens (carapace width and body weight) as well as the size of eggs, number of eggs and weight of egg mass were recorded. A total of 1,215 individuals were sampled of which 558 individuals were males and 657 individuals were females. The size (carapace width) of males ranges from 5.15 to 29.98 mm, while females ranges from 5.26 to 28.63 mm which shows that the average size of male and female individuals did not differ significantly. The overall as well as monthly sex ratio was skewed towards males with a bimodal distribution while unimodal in females. The population breeds year-round, which was indicated by the occurrence of ovigerous females throughout the year. However, the maximum percentage occurrence of ovigerous females was observed from December to April which indicates the peak breeding season. The size of eggs, number of eggs and weight of egg mass were shown to positively correlate with the morphology of ovigerous females (carapace width and wet weight).

Honey DNA metabarcoding provides precise and comprehensive data on the origins of honey and the plants that honey bees select for feeding. Honey produced by both Apis cerana and Apis florea , along with the determination of honey bee floral preferences, has the potential to assist researchers in strategically selecting appropriate plant species that can effectively enhance the growth and prosperity of honey bee colonies. Honey samples collected from 40 places in North Gujarat, India, was produced by two species of honey bees, A. cerana and A. florea . Physicochemical analysis of honey samples was performed, including characterization of pH, ash content, electrical conductivity, brix content, free acidity, protein, amino acids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids, phenolic components, and sterol content. Using DNA metabarcoding techniques, an investigation was conducted to discern the nectar preferences of A. cerana and A. florea . The results of the DNA metabarcoding study demonstrated a consistent enrichment trend for 64 plant species across both honey bee species. The plant species Medicago hybrida had the highest abundance in honey produced by A. florea , but Picrasma quassioides was more abundant in honey produced by A. cerana . In addition, the sugar content of honey samples collected from both honey bee species was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPTLC). Our study’s honey metabarcoding and physicochemical analysis effectively categorized and distinguished between the two honey samples and the activity of Indian native A. cerana and A. florea . This study emphasizes the potential of metabarcoding to identify the specific plant sources of honey and improve our knowledge of honey bee foraging habits. This information is vital for promoting the health and production of honey bee colonies.

The population structure and breeding biology of a Xanthid crab, Etisus laevimanus Randall, 1840, a commonly occurring species on the rocky intertidal region of Saurashtra coast of Gujarat State, India, were investigated. Samples were collected from the intertidal region for 12 consecutive months during low tide using catch per unit effort in a 500 m2 area. The individuals were categorized into male, non‐ovigerous female, or ovigerous female. For fecundity estimation, the total number of eggs, size of eggs, and weight of egg mass were measured along with the carapace width and body weight of the respective ovigerous females. Sexual dimorphism was evident in the collected samples, with males being significantly larger than females. The overall as well as monthly sex ratio was female‐biased. Size frequency distribution showed a bimodal frequency distribution in males while being unimodal in females. The occurrence of ovigerous females throughout the year suggests that the species has a continuous breeding pattern with peaks from December to April. The total number of eggs, size of eggs, and weight of the egg mass showed a significantly positive correlation with the carapace width of the ovigerous females. The population structure and breeding biology of a Xanthid crab Etisus laevimanus Randall, 1840, were investigated; this is commonly occurring species on the rocky intertidal region of Saurashtra coast of Gujarat State, India. Size frequency distribution showed a bimodal frequency distribution in males while being unimodal in females. The occurrence of ovigerous females throughout the year suggests that the species has a continuous breeding pattern with peaks from December to April. The total number of eggs, size of eggs, and weight of the egg mass showed a significantly positive correlation with the carapace width of the ovigerous females.

Microplastic (MP) in seafood is a growing area of food safety. In the present study, MP contamination in the commercially important crab Portunus sanguinolentus was assessed. A total of 300 crab specimens were collected from three principal fishing harbors of Gujarat. The collected specimens were analyzed for MPs isolation using a previously published protocol. The specimens were dissected, and organs such as the gut and gills were placed separately in the beaker. The organic tissues were digested using 10% KOH. After the digestion, flotation and filtration processes were carried out for the extraction of MPs. The physical (shape, size, and color) and chemical characterization of MPs were performed. The average abundance of MP was recorded as 0.67 ± 0.62 MPs/g. The pollution indices revealed very high contamination and fell under class IV (Jakhau) and V risk categories (Okha and Veraval). Microfibers were found dominantly. Blue and black-colored MPs with 1–2 mm sizes were recorded dominantly. Polyethylene, polyethylene tetraphene, polyurethane, polystyrene, and polypropylene were identified as polymer compositions of MPs. Concludingly, the present study gives an insight into the MP in an important crab species P. sanguinolentus , which can be useful to design further investigations on the toxicity of MPs in seafood.

Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive pollutants in the marine environment, exhibiting persistence in coastal sediment over extended periods. However, the mechanism of their uptake by marine organisms and distribution in habitat is less understood. The objective of the present study was to investigate the presence of MP contamination in burrow sediment, feeding pellets, and tissue of in the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat State. A total of 500 g of burrow sediment, 100 g of feeding pellets, and body tissue of 10 resident were pooled as one replica. Such seven replicas from each site were analyzed for MP extraction from three sites, including Asharmata, Mandvi, and Serena, located in the Gulf of Kachchh. The standard protocol was used during the analysis of the collected samples in order to isolate MPs. The abundance of MP was found higher in burrow sediment, feeding pellets and tissue of at study site Mandvi, followed by Serena and Asharmata. The abundance of MP was found higher in tissue, followed by burrow sediment and feeding pellet. A significant variation was observed in MP abundance among burrow sediment, feeding pellets, and tissue. MPs with various shapes (fiber, film, and fragment), sizes (1-2, 2-3, 3-4, and 4-5 mm), and colors (blue, green, black, pink, purple, red transparent) were recorded from all the study sites. Polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride were recognized as the chemical profile of the extracted MPs. The current investigation revealed greater accumulation of MPs in 's tissues compared to sediment and pellets, suggesting a risk of MP contamination in marine benthic fauna with a greater rate of bioaccumulation. plays a significant role as a structuring agent for MP distribution in the intertidal flat through burrowing activity.

Microplastic (MP) pollution is a prevalent and global threat to fish. MP contamination was investigated in Harpadon nehereus collected from the principal fishing harbors of India’s northwest coast. A total of 213 specimens were collected from the major fishing harbors of Gujarat state (Jakhau, Okha, and Jaffrabad) and Maharashtra state (Mumbai). In the laboratory, the morphometric parameters of the specimens, such as total length and body weight, were measured. The collected specimens were analyzed for MP isolation using the previously documented protocol. MPs were quantified under a stereomicroscope, and physical parameters were recorded. All the examined specimens were found to be contaminated with MPs, with an abundance of 6.98 ± 6.73 MPs/g. The maximum contamination of MPs was recorded at the study site in Jaffrabad, followed by Jakhau, Mumbai, and Okha. Morphometric analysis of MPs revealed threads to be the most dominant shape. Black and blue MPs with a 1–2 mm size were the predominant recorded types. The chemical composition of extracted MPs revealed polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polyurethane (PU) as polymer compositions. Conclusively, the findings highlighted a greater menace to seafood safety due to trophic transfer, which causes a hazardous effect on human health.