Echinogorgia disimilis 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 : 53

Echinogorgia disimilis Fernando, 2011 (species status uncertain)

Echinogorgia disimilis Fernando, 2011: 57 , pl. 34, fig. 1– 1g (Nagapatinam); Fernando et al. 2017: 121, pl. 55, fig. 1– 1g (Nagapatinam).

Opinion: This species occurs in the region.

Justification:

Literature analysis: The accounts of the Indian material by Fernando (2011) and Fernando et al. (2017) are identical, but the sclerite images are very poor with most of the individual sclerites overlapping others. Without detailed descriptions and more images of the sclerites, including the polyp’s armature, it is not possible to recognise this species, and without a revision of the genus it would probably be impossible to assess its validity.