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Coral reef survey with transect line, Indian Ocean
Field Record №014

Sudhanshu Dixit

Marine Taxonomist · Reef Ecologist · Conservation Researcher

Cataloguing the unnamed life of coral reefs, from the Arabian Gulf to the Andaman Sea, and giving fifteen species their place in the scientific record.

12+Years research
650+Sci. dives
15New species
20+Publications
Record 01The Researcher

Marine biologist & taxonomist

I am a marine biologist and taxonomist with over twelve years of experience studying coral reef ecosystems and marine invertebrate diversity. My research focuses on the taxonomy of polyclads, nudibranchs, sipunculids, and corals, combined with extensive coral reef monitoring across the Arabian Gulf, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

I have described more than a dozen species new to science, contributed to biodiversity assessments, and supported conservation planning through Red List evaluations. Alongside research, I curate natural history specimens and engage in public exhibitions to share the importance of marine biodiversity.

My work bridges taxonomy, reef ecology, and conservation to advance both scientific knowledge and ecosystem protection, aiming to inspire, educate, and drive conservation efforts worldwide.

Dr. Sudhanshu Dixit collecting intertidal specimens, Andaman Islands
Field surveyAndaman · low tide
Dr. Sudhanshu Dixit ascending during a scientific dive
Field recordKFUPM · 2025
Golden crinoid on coral reef substrate
Reef substrate · crinoidArabian Gulf
Record 02The Journey

A career beneath the surface

Sep 2023
to Present
Postdoctoral Fellow
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (ARCEMS), Saudi Arabia
  • Lead biodiversity and coral reef monitoring surveys across the Arabian Gulf
  • Conduct ecological assessments and contribute to environmental impact studies
  • Manage field operations, species documentation, and database curation
Jul 2022 to Aug 2023
11 months
Project Scientist-I
National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Govt. of India
  • Coral reef surveys and restoration studies along both coasts of mainland India
  • Taxonomy of benthic invertebrate groups: Polyclads, Heterobranchs, Sipuncula, Echiura
Dec 2017 to Mar 2022
4 yrs 3 mo
Project Scientist-B
Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE), Govt. of India
  • Long-term reef monitoring across the Lakshadweep group of islands
  • Taxonomic studies of corals, reef fishes, and associated benthic invertebrates
  • Scientific cruises aboard FORV Sagar Sampada in the Indian EEZ
Jul 2013 to Dec 2017
4 yrs 6 mo
Research Fellow → Research Associate
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre
  • PhD taxonomy of marine flatworms (Polyclads) and Heterobranchs
  • Coral reef monitoring in Marine Protected Areas and EIA surveys
  • Curation of lower invertebrate samples for natural history collections
Ph.D. in Marine Biology
Pondicherry University · 2019
M.Sc. Marine Biology
Pondicherry University · 2012
B.Sc. Zoology (Honours)
University of Delhi · 2010
Advanced SCUBA Diving
PADI · ~650 dives
Hawksbill turtle over coral reef

"Every dive is a page of an unread book: most of what lives on a reef has no name yet."

Hawksbill turtle · coral reef

Record 03Taxonomic Discoveries

Fifteen names new to science

14 new species of Polyclads (marine flatworms) and one new species of Sipuncula described to science. Plated below exactly as filed in the scientific record. Select any plate for a closer look.

Acanthozoon fuscobulbosum
PLATE 01Acanthozoon fuscobulbosumDixit, Sivaperuman & Raghunathan, 2018
Bulaceros newcannorum
PLATE 02Bulaceros newcannorumDixit, 2021
Paraplanocera kalpeniensis
PLATE 03Paraplanocera kalpeniensisDixit & Sreeraj, 2024
Prostheceraeus fuscolineatus
PLATE 04Prostheceraeus fuscolineatusDixit, Raghunathan & Chandra, 2017
Pseudoceros agattiensis
PLATE 05Pseudoceros agattiensisDixit, 2019
Pseudoceros auranticrinis
PLATE 06Pseudoceros auranticrinisDixit, Raghunathan & Chandra, 2017
Pseudoceros bifascia
PLATE 07Pseudoceros bifasciaDixit & Sreeraj, 2024
Pseudoceros bipurpureus
PLATE 08Pseudoceros bipurpureusDixit, 2021
Pseudoceros galaxea
PLATE 09Pseudoceros galaxeaDixit, 2021
Pseudoceros galatheensis
PLATE 10Pseudoceros galatheensisDixit, Raghunathan & Chandra, 2017
Pseudoceros meenae
PLATE 11Pseudoceros meenaeDixit, Sivaperuman & Raghunathan, 2018
Pseudoceros nigropunctatus
PLATE 12Pseudoceros nigropunctatusDixit, Raghunathan & Chandra, 2017
Pseudoceros stellans
PLATE 13Pseudoceros stellansDixit, 2019
Pseudoceros vishnui
PLATE 14Pseudoceros vishnuiDixit, Raghunathan & Chandra, 2017
Aspidosiphon carnicobarensis
PLATE 15Aspidosiphon carnicobarensisDixit & Silva-Morales, 2023
Plates 01–15 · Polycladida & Sipuncula · Arabian Gulf, Lakshadweep & Andaman waters
Published Research
Taxonomic contributions
Peer-reviewed publications advancing the taxonomy of marine invertebrates: species descriptions, new records, and biodiversity assessments across Indian and Arabian reef ecosystems.
15 New Species
Taxonomic discoveries
14 new species of Polyclads and one new Sipuncula species described. Several nudibranchs and flatworms reported as new records for Indian waters.
Educational Outreach
Public engagement
Specimen exhibitions, outreach programs, and awareness campaigns making taxonomy and reef ecology accessible to wider audiences.
Peer Reviewer & Author
Professional recognition
Reviewer for Zootaxa, Bulletin of Marine Science, and JMBAUK. Authored two books on Indian marine invertebrates.
Marine flatworm, new species

"To describe a species is to give it a place in human knowledge, and a chance at protection."

Polyclad flatworm · described as new to science

Record 04Research Output

Selected publications

2026
Dixit, S., Lindo, R.T., Maneja, R.H., et al. Decline of Acropora spp. in the Saudi waters of the Arabian Gulf: insights from thirteen years of reef surveys. Ocean Science Journal, 61:40. doi:10.1007/s12601-026-00294-6 ↗
2026
Jayachandran, P.R., Ma, P.Z., … Dixit, S., et al. Global invasion dynamics of the charru mussel Mytella strigata: mechanisms, impacts, knowledge gaps, and biosecurity implications. Hydrobiologia. doi:10.1007/s10750-026-06253-5 ↗
2026
Gopi, J., Joydas, T.V., … Dixit, S., et al. eDNA metabarcoding reveals halophilic and halotolerant bacterial assemblages in the salt flats of the northern Red Sea coast. Ecological Genetics and Genomics, 38, 100448. doi:10.1016/j.egg.2026.100448 ↗
2025
Gopi, J., Joydas, T.V., Manokaran, S., … Dixit, S., et al. Profiling the microeukaryote diversity in arid sabkha soils in NEOM, Saudi Arabia, using 18S rRNA-based eDNA metabarcoding. Ecological Frontiers. doi:10.1016/j.ecofro.2025.07.013 ↗
2025
Jayachandran, P.R., Joydas, T.V., … Dixit, S., et al. Ecological filtering and functional trait patterns in polychaete communities of the Arabian Gulf. Marine Environmental Research, 107373. doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.107373 ↗
2025
Neelavannan, K., … Dixit, S., et al. Geospatial distribution and anthropogenic litter impact on coastal mangrove ecosystems, Saudi Arabia. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 15964. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-98136-3 ↗
2024
Dixit, S. & Sreeraj, C.R. Two new polyclad flatworm species from the Lakshadweep Islands, India. Zootaxa, 5446(3), pp. 405–419.
2024
Sadhukhan, K., Dixit, S., et al. Resilience-Based Assessment of Shallow Water Patchy Reefs in Palk Bay. Ocean Science Journal, 59(3), 36.
2023
Dixit, S., Yonow, N., et al. The curious case of Phyllidia ocellata and first molecular data of three phyllidiid species from India. Molluscan Research 43:1, 34–49.
2023
Dixit, S., Silva-Morales, I. & Saravanane, N. The genus Aspidosiphon: description of a new shell dwelling species. Bulletin of Marine Science. doi:10.5343/bms.2022.0055 ↗
2022
Dixit, S., Vishnu K.V., et al. First record of Baeolidia moebii Bergh, 1888 from India based on integrative taxonomy. Journal of Conchology, 44(3): 277–286.
2021
Dixit, S., Manjebrayakat, H. & Saravanane, N. Two new Pseudoceros from Agatti Island, India and a species checklist from Indian waters. JMBAUK 101: 253–263. doi:10.1017/S0025315421000151 ↗
2020
Dixit, S., Manjebrayakat, H. & Saravanane, N. A rare polyclad genus Bulaceros: new species and new record from Indian coral atolls. Marine Biology Research, 16:8–9, 632–642.
2020
Parameswaran, U.V., Nowsahad, B., Dixit, S., et al. New records of brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from the Lakshadweep atolls, northern Indian Ocean. Zootaxa, 4809(3): 560–570.
2019
Dixit, S., et al. Polyclad fauna of Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, India: new records and two new species. Zootaxa 4657(2): 246–260.
2018
Dixit, S., Sivaperuman, C. & Raghunathan, C. Description of two new pseudocerotids from Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Zootaxa 4403(2): 365–377.
2018
Dixit, S., Bulnes, V.N. & Raghunathan, C. Neotype designation for Acanthozoon alderi (Polycladida). Zoological Studies, 57:45.
2017
Dixit, S., Raghunathan, C. & Chandra, K. Two new marine flatworms from Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Zootaxa, 4221(1), 111–122.
2017
Dixit, S., Raghunathan, C. & Chandra, K. Two new Pseudoceros and a Prostheceraeus (Polycladida) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Zootaxa 4269(4): 495–512. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4269.4.5 ↗
2017
Dixit, S., Raghunathan, C. & Chandra, K. New records of sea slugs (Heterobranchia: Opisthobranchia) from India. Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences 7(3): 47–54.
2015
Dixit, S., Sivaperuman, C. & Raghunathan, C. Three new records of polyclad flatworms from India. Marine Biodiversity Records, 8; e29.
2013
Dixit, S. & Raghunathan, C. Polyclads of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Journal of the Andaman Science Association, 18(2), 165–169.
Hawksbill turtle over coral reef
Record 05Get in Touch

Let's connect

For collaborations, specimen identifications, or research inquiries, feel free to reach out. I am always open to engaging in discussions on marine taxonomy and biodiversity conservation.

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Academic Belt Road, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
+966 550045101 · +91 9933291878
Marine TaxonomyCoral Reef BiodiversityPolycladidaNudibranchsSipunculaReef MonitoringArabian GulfLakshadweepAndaman & NicobarIUCN Red ListScientific DivingMarine Conservation

Peer Reviewer For

Zootaxa · Bulletin of Marine Science · Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
Download Full CV ↓