Viminella rarus ( 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 : 106

Viminella rarus ( Fernando, 2011) potential new comb. (species status uncertain)

Nicella rarus Fernando, 2011: 128–129 , pl. 91, fig. 1–1e (between Nagapatinam and Palayar); Fernando et al. 2017: 300, pl. 141, fig. 1–1e (between Nagapatinam and Palayar).

Opinion: This species does occur in the region.

Justification:

Literature analysis: The descriptions of the Indian material as Nicella rarus by Fernando (2011) and Fernando et al. (2017) are almost identical but they do not represent a species of that genus. Their colony is unbranched and clearly is a Viminella . Referring to the long sclerites, Fernando et al. (2017) state “… the distinctly expressed girdles and the almost regularly arranged tubercles are usually characteristic of the genus Nicella ”, which is incorrect. They also mistakenly state that all species of ellisellids “with cylindrical, spindles … are under Ellisella ( Bayer & Grasshoff, 1994 and Grasshoff, 2000)”, which is not consistent with their treatment of many other species, e.g., Verrucella balasubramaniani , which has sclerites closely resembling those in this species. Viminella rarus needs to be compared to all nominal species of Viminella to determine its status.