Astrogorgia nagaiensis 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 : 46-47

Astrogorgia nagaiensis Fernando, 2011 nom. nov. (species status uncertain)

Acanthomuricea nagapatinamensis Fernando, 2011: 78 , pl. 52, fig. 1–1d (Nagapattinam); Fernando et al. 2017: 169, pl. 77, fig. 1–1d (Nagapattinam).

Opinion: This species does occur in the region but its status is uncertain.

Justification:

Literature analysis: The descriptions of the Indian material by Fernando (2011) and Fernando et al. (2017) are identical, but unfortunately these authors failed to recognise that Acanthomuricea is a synonym of Astrogorgia and united the specific epithet nagapatinamensis with both generic names. We propose the new replacement name nagaiensis which uses Nagai, the original name of the town of Nagapatinam.

However, without detailed descriptions and more images of the sclerites, including the polyp armature, and close-up mages of the polyps and calyces it is not possible to distinguish this species from other nominal species. Even then, without a revision of the genus, it would probably be impossible to assess its validity as a new species.