Abstract:
Goa along the west coast of India supports diverse assemblages of marine organisms. However, increase in anthropogenic activities has resulted in habitat alteration thereby negatively affecting inter-tidal fauna. The present study describes the Sand bubbler crab Dotilla myctiroides from an impacted sandy beach (Miramar) along Goa, west coast of India. Fortnightly sampling surveys along the sampling site from July 2014 to October 2014 yielded only 49 specimens of this species. A comprehensive taxonomic diagnosis of this species is provided for the first time aided by 11 morphometric characters, eight morphometric ratios, Scanning Electron Micrographs of first gonopod and spoontipped setae of second maxillipeds.
