Paraplexaura mannarensis 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 : 67

Paraplexaura mannarensis Fernando, 2011 (species status uncertain)

Paraplexaura mannarensis Fernando, 2011: 67 , pl. 42, fig. 1–1e (Vedalai); Fernando et al. 2017: 145, pl. 67, fig. 1–1e (Vedalai).

Opinion: This species does occur in the region.

Justification:

Literature analysis: Both publications of Fernando (2011) and Fernando et al. (2017) describe the same material. There are undescribed species of this genus with similar large, thick, thorny surface sclerites (see Fabricius & Alderslade, 2001: 208) and it would be difficult to separate them from this species because it is impossible to distinguish in the supplied figures what are calycular sclerites (if any) or anthocodial sclerites (if any) from the many coenenchymal sclerites. The arrangement of the anthocodial sclerites would also be needed for an identification.This species appears to be quite similar to Echinogorgia seshayiaii Fernando, 2011 , which is probably a Paraplexaura .