The taxonomy of Indian gorgonians: an assessment of the descriptive records of gorgonians (Anthozoa: Octocorallia: Alcyonacea) recorded as occurring in the territorial waters of India, along with neighbouring regions and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the highlighting of perceived unethical practice
Author
Ramvilas, Ghosh
0000-0001-5028-9058
ramvilas@kufos.ac.in
Author
Alderslade, Philip
0000-0001-5801-4681
phil.alderslade@csiro.au
Author
Ranjeet, Kutty
0000-0001-5028-9058
ramvilas@kufos.ac.in
text
Zootaxa
2023
2023-02-07
5236
1
1
124
journal article
54753
10.11646/zootaxa.5236.1.1
64c50077-1b03-44c5-9af9-0dac9180d62d
1175-5326
7639327
796FF9F5-E71F-4C69-92CC-CF4D6752BD77
Astrogorgia uvariensis
Fernando, 2011
(species status uncertain)
Astrogorgia uvariensis
Fernando, 2011: 76–77
, pl. 50, fig. 2–2c (Uvari);
Fernando
et al
. 2017: 166
, pl. 75, fig. 2–2c (Uvari).
Opinion: This species does occur in the region but its status is uncertain.
Justification:
Literature analysis
: The descriptions of the Indian material by
Fernando (2011)
and
Fernando
et al
. (2017)
are identical, and the surface sclerites are described as having a glassy, transparent periphery and a pink core, which is a notable character if consistent and valuable if unique. But the sclerite figures are poor and very small, and without detailed descriptions and more images of them, including the polyp armature, and close-up mages of the polyps and calyces, it would not be possible to distinguish this species from similar taxa. Even then, without a revision of the genus, it would probably be impossible to assess its validity as a new species.