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 seshaiyaii
Fernando, 2011
(species status uncertain)
Astrogorgia seshaiyaii
Fernando, 2011: 75
, pl. 49, fig. 2–2d (SE coast of
India
);
Fernando
et al
. 2017: 163
, pl. 74, fig. 2–2d (SE coast of
India
).
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 figured colony has an unusual, irregular, pinnate growth form, which is a notable character. But the sclerite figures are poor and without detailed descriptions and better images of the sclerites, including the polyp armature, and close-up images of the polyps and calyces, it would be very difficult to distinguish this species from any similar taxa.