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 Verrucella pondicheriensis Fernando, 2011 (species status uncertain) Verrucella pondicheriensis Fernando, 2011: 121–122 , pl. 82, fig. 1–1d ( Puducherry , East coast); Fernando et al . 2017: 280 , pl. 131, fig. 1–1d ( Puducherry , East coast). Opinion: This species does occur in the region. Justification: Literature analysis : The descriptions of the Indian material by Fernando (2011) and Fernando et al . (2017) are identical, but without more detailed descriptions and larger illustrations of the sclerites it would be difficult to distinguish the species from any similar taxa.