LACCADIVE SEA - GEOGRAPHY
News: Three new fish species spotted
using tools in the Laccadive Sea
What's in the news?
●
Recently, three fish species residing in the
Laccadive Sea, situated off the southwest coast of India, were discovered to
possess the ability to use tools.
Key takeaways:
●
All three species used live or dead coral
structures as anvils to break the hard shells of sea urchins so they could get
to the edible bits inside.
●
The Jansen’s
wrasse (Thalassoma jansenii) and
the checkerboard wrasse (Halichoeres hortulanus) have never been
reported using tools before, and this is the first documented instance of the moon wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) using tools in the wild.
Laccadive Sea:
Location and Borders:
●
The Laccadive Sea, also known as the Lakshadweep Sea, lies adjacent to
India, encompassing its Lakshadweep
islands, along with the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
●
It forms part of the Indian Ocean, which ranks as the world's third-largest body of
water.
●
Spanning approximately 303,476 square miles, the
Lakshadweep Sea is a significant maritime expanse.
●
Boundaries:
●
To the south, it is demarcated by the Nine Degree Channel.
●
Westward, it merges with the broader Indian Ocean.
●
The northern boundary meets the Arabian Sea, while
the northeast border adjoins India's
Kerala state.
●
Along its southeastern stretch, it borders the
Maldives and Sri Lanka.
Depth and
Characteristics:
●
The average depth of the Lakshadweep Sea is around
6,329 feet, marking it shallower
compared to the overall Indian Ocean average.
●
Characterized by stable water temperatures
year-round, it fosters a thriving marine ecosystem.
●
The Gulf of
Mannar within this sea boasts an impressive array of approximately 3,600
marine species.
●
The coral
reefs in the Lakshadweep Sea alone are home to nearly 120 documented living
species.
Major Cities:
● Noteworthy cities along its shores include Trivandrum and Kochi in India, Quilon and Colombo in Sri Lanka, and Malé in the Maldives