Sanctuary |Photofeature
ABHISHEK JAMALABADSHAUNAK MODICUP CORALS - MARINE DRIVE
Multiple species of cup corals (Rhizangiidae, a family of stony coral) have been recorded on every single rocky seashore on
Mumbai’s western seaboard! These corals are listed alongside the tiger under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; and
the Coastal Regulation Zone Notifi cations of 2011 and 2018 recognise their habitats as the highest priority (CRZ 1A) areas.
ELYSIA HIRASEI - HAJI ALI
At just half a centimetre in length, Elysia hirasei, a tiny sacoglossan (sap-sucking sea slug) is found in shallow tidepools, feeding
exclusively on algae. It isolates and stores the algal chloroplasts (photosynthetic cells) and can switch from active feeding to
photosynthesis to survive during times of food shortage. Hence, it is often referred to as a ‘solar-powered sea slug’.