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 anastomosan Fernando, 2011 (species status uncertain) Astrogorgia anastomosan Fernando, 2011: 70–71 , pl. 46, fig. 1–1d ( Puducherry ): Fernando et al . 2017: 153 , pl. 71, fig. 1–1d (SE coast of India ). Opinion: This species does occur in the region but its status is uncertain. It seems very similar to Astrogorgia cuddalorensis . Justification: Literature analysis : The descriptions of the Indian material by Fernando (2011) and Fernando et al . (2017) are identical, but without detailed descriptions and more images of the sclerites, including the polyp armature, and close-up images of the polyps and calyces it is not possible to distinguish this species from other nominal species. Even then, without a revision of the genus, or examination of the type specimens, it would probably be impossible to assess its validity as a new species. However, the large irregular and branched coenenchymal sclerites are not expected in this genus and it would appear to be closely related to Astrogorgia cuddalorensis Fernando, 2011 , and also has similarities to A. krusadiensis Fernando, 2011 and A. macrosclera Fernando, 2011 .