Ellisella maculata ( Studer, 1878 )

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 : 90

Ellisella maculata ( Studer, 1878)

Ellisella maculata Studer, 1878a: 659 , fig. 27, a, b, c (Torres Strait); Wright & Studer 1889: 160–161 (Torres Strait).

Opinion: There is no evidence that this species occurs in the region.

Justification:

These Indian records seem to be either invalid or unconfirmable: Thomas & George 1986: 108, fig. 1p, 1–3 (Kadiapattanam); Thomas et al. 1995: 140 (NE coast), Thomas et al. 1998: 164 (Kollam); Mary & Lazarus 2004: 39–40, fig. 19 (SW coast).

Literature analysis: Simpson (1910) stated, “It is with considerable hesitation that we still recognize this species as distinct. It has been impossible, however, to examine the type specimen of the species”. To date, the holotype has never been redescribed, so the species remains unrecognisable. It would therefore be chance if any of the Indian reports were of this species, but that is impossible to assess. Thomas & George, (1987) just list the species. The original material was collected in Mermaid Straits, north western Australia and later reported to occur in Indonesia, so based on geography it is unlikely to occur in the region .