Verrucella balasubramaniani 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 : 98

Verrucella balasubramaniani Fernando, 2011 (species status uncertain)

Verrucella balasubramaniani Fernando, 2011: 115–116 , pl. 74, fig. 1–1d (SE coast between Puducherry and Cuddalore); Fernando et al. 2017: 258, pl. 120, fig. 1–1d (SE coast between Puducherry and Cuddalore).

Opinion: This species does occur in the region.

Justification:

Literature analysis: The descriptions of the Indian material by Fernando (2011) and Fernando et al. (2017) are identical. A more detailed report on the sclerites is necessary but the dense bushy colony form would seem to be a distinguishing character except for the fact that a colony with similar growth form is figured in the description of V. umbraculam by Fernando (2011; pl. 83, fig. 1j) and Fernando et al. (2017; pl. 132, fig. 1j.).