Ellisella laevis ( Verrill, 1865 )

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 : 89

Ellisella laevis ( Verrill, 1865)

Juncella laevis Verrill, 1865: 189 ( Hong Kong).

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: 127, pl. 89, fig. 1–1d (SE coast); Fernando et al. 2017: 294, pl. 138, fig. 1–1d (SE coast); Kumar et al. 2019b: 1569, fig. 2 (13) (South Andaman).

Literature analysis: This species was erected by Verrill under the genus Junceella for a specimen from Hong Kong. The species is now recognised as an Ellisella . Fernando (2011) and Fernando et al. (2017) both present identical descriptions of a colony they assign to Nicella laevis (Verrill) . Their colony is unbranched, whereas species of Nicella form multi-branched fans. Ellisella species form dichotomously branched, bushy colonies with whip-like branches, so the Indian material would appear to be a species of Viminella . Kumar et al. (2019b) list Nicella laevis and provide an underwater image of an unbranched, white, whip-like colony.