Verrucella reticulata ( Thomson & Simpson, 1909 )

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 : 103

Verrucella reticulata ( Thomson & Simpson, 1909)

Nicella reticulata Thomson & Simpson, 1909: 266–267 , pl. 4, fig. 5; pl. 8, fig. 12 (Persian Gulf; Laccadives).

Opinion: This species does occur in Indan waters but was originally misidentified.

Justification:

Literature analysis: This species was originally described as Nicella reticulata by Thomson & Simpson (1909) with only a few small, simple sclerite drawings, and it would be extremely difficult to identify based on their account. The sclerome included narrow spindles with a clear waist that were less than twice the length of the smallest double heads but did not include any long, flattened spindles characteristic of Nicella . Kükenthal synonymised the species under Gorgonella umbraculum ( Ellis & Solander, 1786) , which is currently accepted as being a species of Verrucella . Venkataraman et al. (2004) just lists the species.