Melithaea variabilis ( Hickson, 1905 )

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 : 33

Melithaea variabilis ( Hickson, 1905)

Melitodes variabilis Hickson, 1905: 809 , pl. 67, fig. 11 ( Maldives).

Acabaria variabilis (new combination) Ofwegen 1987; 31–35, figs. 20–21, (lectotype designation) ( Maldives) .

Opinion: This species does occur in the region.

Justification:

These Indian records seem to be either invalid or unconfirmable: Thomson & Simpson 1909: 169–171, fig. 73; Mary et al. 2011: 4, fig. 5 (Muttom); Mary & Sluka 2014: tbl 1, pl. 6, fig. b (Minicoy); Kumar & Raghunathan 2015: 804–805, fig. 1, A&B; fig. 2 (North Andaman).

Literature analysis: This species was originally named Melitodes variabilis but was transferred to the genus Acabaria by Ofwegen (1987) who examined Hickson’s type series and found it is a mixture of species. Ofwegen gave a comprehensive description of the lectotype with many sclerite figures, which was in contrast to Hickson’s original description that gave only four, two of which were rodlets from the nodes, which are common to all species of Melithaea .

Melithea variablis has a distinctive colony form and colour where that of the nodes contrasts with the internodes, but this appears to be shared by other species. Thomson & Simpson (1909) described and figured a very complex bushy colony quite unlike the characteristic form. The material described given Mary et al. (2011) has the characteristic colony form but the identity remains uncertain as no sclerites were illustrated. Similarly with Mary & Sluka (2014), who list the species and figure a typical looking colony. Kumar & Raghunathan (2015: PY-P) describe a similar looking specimen, but the sclerites illustrations are not adequate enough to be able to confirm the diagnosis. Kumar et al. (2019) lists the species and provide references.