Pseudopterogorgia vedalaiensis 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 : 83

Pseudopterogorgia vedalaiensis Fernando, 2011 (species status uncertain)

Pseudopterogorgia vedalaiensis Fernando, 2011: 106–107 , pl. 64, fig. 2–2c (Vedalai); Fernando et al. 2017: 213, pl. 98, fig. 1–1c (Vedalai).

Opinion: This species does occur in the region but it is probably the same as their specimen described as Pseudopterogorgia thomassini .

Justification:

These Indian records could represent an identical species: Fernando 2011: 104–105, pl. 63, fig. 2–2c (Uvari); Fernando et al. 2017: 209, pl. 96, fig. 1–1c (Uvari).

Literature analysis: The descriptions of the Indian material by Fernando (2011) and Fernando et al. (2017) are identical and the species is quite possibly new, but it is difficult to see why it differs from Pseudopterogorgia thomassini described in the same two papers.