Arthropoda: Crustacea:Peracardia:Amphipoda

Introduction:Amphipoda is an order of shrimp like crustaceans with narrow body, curled in a distinct hump-backed shape, they are commonly called as Beach flea, Sand hopper, Sandflea etc.It is one of the speciose group and in terms of species richness, it is next to Decapoda and Isopoda.Amphipods are divided into six suborders namely Amphilochidea, Colomastigidea,Hyperiidea, Hyperiopsidea, Pseudingolfiellidea and Senticaudata.The suborder Ingolfiellida of the order Amphipoda is treated as a separate order.They have invaded most marine and freshwater habitats and often constitute a large portion of the biomass in many coastal areas.Though they are mostly marine inhabitants, more than 1900 species live in fresh water and they are also available in terrestrial and subterraneous habitats.Amphipods range in size from 1.0 mm to 34 cm.Studies on Indian amphipods were initiated by Giles (1885-1890) and followed by many renowned researchers (see Venkataraman et al., 2016, Bhoi et al 2022, Thacker et al 2023).The freshwater and Subterranean amphipods were explored by Holsinger et al (2006), Messouli et al. (2007), Senna et al., (2013) and Sirdorov et al (2018). Global diversity:Globally, around 13,312 species of amphipodsinhabiting marine, brackish, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats were reported so far of which 9,980 species (221 families and 1,674 genera) are considered valid species the remaining 3,332 species (25%) are unaccepted, (Thacker et al.2023). Diversity in India:Until now there is no consolidated information available on the Indian amphipods.However Venkataraman et al (2016) in their State of Art on Crustacean Taxonomy In India have mentioned that a total of 202 species of amphipods are available in India.There are several checklists published by various authors mainly on marine amphipods.Siddique et al (2020) listed 188 species of amphipods belonging to of 110 genera belonging to 41 families in Indian Coastal region.Nair et al (2021) revealed the distribution of 68 species of pelagic amphipods of the family Hyperidae.Bhoi et al (2022) opined that the total number of marine benthic amphipod species in India is 230 species belonging to three suborders, eight infraorders, 47 families and 125 genera.Recently Thacker et al., (2023) informed that a total of 266 species belonging to 133 genera and 56 families are known from Indian coastal waters.In the present checklist the author has made a sincere attempt to compile the amphipods reported from brackish water, freshwater, coastal, marine, deep sea, mangrove, subterraneous and terrestrial ecosystems of India.The study results in the exploration of 389 species of amphipods and one species of Ingolfiellid (Ingolfiella (Tethydiella) kapuri Coineau & Rao, 1972 described from Andaman and Nicobar Island is also included in this checklist, earlier Ingolfiellida was a suborder under the order Amphipoda).But the report of several amphipod species are doubtful.Many species mentioned in the checklist of Bhoi et al (2022) were excluded in the list of Thacker et al (2023) and still several doubtful species were included in the list.In the present checklist all the species reported from India are mentioned.At present our knowledge on Indian amhipod is very limited and there is derth of Indian amphipod authority who can effectively deal with this group on pan India basis. FAUNA OF INDIA CHECKLISTEndemism: Out of 387 species reported from India more than 50 species are endemic to India.Habitat: They are mostly marine inhabitants and are also available in the freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems.Ecological Significance: Amphipods are an important component of the food chain and prey source for various higher invertebrates and vertebrates.They play an important role in waste decomposition and nutrient cycle.They also play significant role in the trophodynamics of coastal ecosystems.Human Significance: They are used in biomonitoring of Heavy metals, Sewage discharge,oil Pollution, sediment toxicity etc.They can also be used as live feed in Coastal aquaculture.Threatened species: Species from India are not assessed for IUCN threat categories.Protected Species as per WPA (2022):Amphipods are not listed under any schedules of Wildlife Protection Act (2022).