Azooxanthellate Scleractinia (Cnidaria, Anthozoa) from South Africa Author Filander, Zoleka N. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6905-4440 Biodiversity and Coastal Research, Oceans and Coasts, Department of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries, Cape Town, South Africa & Zoology Department, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa zfilander@gmail.com Author Kitahara, Marcelo V. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Departamento de Ciencias do Mar, Santos, Brazil & Centro de Biologia Marinha, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Sebastiao, Brazil Author Cairns, Stephen D. Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, USA Author Sink, Kerry J. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Cape Town, South Africa & Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa Author Lombard, Amanda T. Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa text ZooKeys 2021 2021-10-28 1066 1 198 http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1066.69697 journal article http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1066.69697 1313-2970-1066-1 133CE040A5AF44F1BC9A558C2F06A8AA BD84F4C3157550C9B64120B2BE53F01A Culicia excavata (Milne-Edwards & Haime, 1849) Fig. 14M, N Angia excavata Milne-Edwards & Haime, 1849: 177. Culicia tenella . - Boshoff 1981 : 25. Type locality. Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. Type material. The holotype is deposited at the BMNH. Material examined. None. Imagery data. BMNH 1840.09.30. 19 (Type: 1 colony): Cape of Good Hope. UCTES_DBN 85 H (1 colony): Eastern margin, off Isipingo, depth unknown. Description. Corallum colonial, reptoid, with short, cylindrical, and small individual corallites connected by stolons. Calice circular. Calicular margin smooth. Septa hexamerally arranged in three cycles according to the formula: S1-2 ≥ S3 (24 septa). S1-2 equal in size, convex, and extend to an under-developed columella (if present) with slightly dentated axial margins. S3 rudimentary and curved towards S2 with dentate axial margins. Septa loosely packed. Pali absent. Columella rudimentary or absent. Fossa shallow. Distribution. Regional: Eastern margin of South Africa, off Durban; intertidal-138 m. Elsewhere: Mozambique; depth unknown ( Boshoff 1981 ). Remarks. Subsequent to the original description of Culicia excavata , this species was misidentified and reported as C. tenella by Boshoff (1981) . After close examination of the Boshoff's specimen (collected off Mozambique: ORI_CIc1, 3 specimens), we confirm these specimens to be C. excavata . The occurrence of Boshoff's East London record is not clear and should not be considered in biodiversity assessments. Nonetheless, more specimens of the cryptic C. excavata are required and the revision of the genus is urgently needed.