F irst record of Halophila ovalis in the Haripur creek, East Coast of India

Received 30 December 2012; revised 3 July 2013 Received; revisd Present study reports the first record of occurrence of a seagrass Halophila ovalis, familyHydrocharitaceae and class-Liliopsida in the Haripur creek of the southern coast of Odisha. It was suggested that the shallow water region of this tidal creek provided a conducive environment for colonization of this particular sea grass species. This study also describes the morphological and habitat characteristics of the sea grass.