Acanthogorgia cuddalorensis 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 : 37

Acanthogorgia cuddalorensis Fernando, 2011 (species status uncertain)

Acanthogorgia cuddalorensis Fernando, 2011: 27–28 , pl. 8, fig. 1–1d (Cuddalore); Fernando et al. 2017: 47, pl.18, fig. 1–1c (Cuddalore).

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, but without a detailed description of the sclerites and close-up images of the polyps it is not possible to recognise this species, and without a revision of the genus it would probably be impossible to assess its validity.