Astrogorgia complanata ( Wright & Studer, 1889 ), 2023

Ramvilas, Ghosh, Alderslade, Philip & Ranjeet, Kutty, 2023, 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, Zootaxa 5236 (1), pp. 1-124 : 44-45

Astrogorgia complanata ( Wright & Studer, 1889) new comb.

Muricella complanata Wright & Studer, 1889: 125–126 ( Japan) .

Opinion: There is no evidence that this species occurs in the region.

Justification:

These Indian records seem to be either invalid or unconfirmable: Thomson & Simpson, 1909: 247–248 (Andamans); Thomas & George, 1986: 102, fig. 1f, 1–3 (SW coast); Mary & Lazarus, 2004: 34, fig 6–7 (SW coast); Fernando, 2011: 35–36, pl. 13, fig. 1–1f (SW coast); Fernando et al. 2017: 68, pl. 27, fig. 1–1f (SW coast).

Literature analysis: Wright & Studer’s account of this species did not include any illustrations. Their specimen came from Japanese waters and is described as having retractile polyps and they most probably had a species of Astrogorgia . The species, however, remains unrecognisable and all records other than that of the holotype are most likely incorrect.

The account given by Thomson & Simpson (1909) described a specimen has having calyces and polyps with an “operculum” and a collaret, which was probably an Astrogorgia species. Thomas & George (1986) and Mary & Lazarus (2004) had a specimen with just spindles, but the nature of the polyps is not mentioned so it is not possible to determine what they had.

The accounts given by Fernando (2011) and Fernando et al. (2017) are identical, and it appears they did have a specimen of Muricella and therefore their material was not the same as that of Wright & Studer. There is some confusion regarding the coenchymal sclerites of the Indian material in their publications. The description states the “sclerites range in length between 0.5 and 0.9 mm but rarely reaching 1.2 mm ”. But in the Remarks section it states, “The longest surface spindles hither to (sic) recorded in this species are 1.4 mm long (Tuticorin to Kanyakumari), however in the present study the spindles are longer ranging between 2–2.5 mm ”. Rao & Devi (2003) just listed the species.