Paraplexaura platysclera Fernando, 2011

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 : 68

Paraplexaura platysclera Fernando, 2011 (species status uncertain)

Paraplexaura platysclera Fernando, 2011: 70 , pl. 45, fig. 1–1e (Pamban); Fernando et al. 2017: 151, pl. 70, fig. 1–1e (Pamban).

Opinion: This species does occur in the region.

Justification:

Literature analysis: Both publications of Fernando (2011) and Fernando et al. (2017) describe the same material. There are undescribed species of this genus with similar large, thick, surface sclerites with prominent thorns (some of which can be forked) (see Fabricius & Alderslade 2001: 208) and it would be difficult to separate them from this species without a more detailed description of the sclerites and some images of the sclerites of the polyps and of the calyces.