Nicella carinata Nutting, 1910

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 : 94-95

Nicella carinata Nutting, 1910

Nicella carinata Nutting, 1910d: 29–30 , pl. 9, fig. 1–1a; pl. 11, fig. 2 ( Moluccas).

Nicella coralloides Nutting, 1910d: 27 , pl. 9, figs. 2–2a, pl. 11, fig. 1 ( Moluccas).

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

Justification:

These Indian records seem to be either invalid or unconfirmable: Fernando 2011: 123–124, pl. 84, fig 1–1d (SE coast); Fernando et al. 2017: 284, pl. 133, fig. 1–1d (SE coast).

Literature analysis: The identity of the Indian material assigned to this species is uncertain. The reports by Fernando (2011) and Fernando et al. (2017) are virtually identical but do not figure the large, elongate, flat sclerites characteristic for the genus and clearly illustrated by Nutting. Also, the holotype is mostly dichotomously branched while the Indian material is irregularly pinnate. Although the colony form could suggest an alternative diagnosis for the Indian specimen would be Verrucella , the sclerites include double stars and clubs with a distinct waist and well-defined head that actually come close to those seen in Heliania .