Species ID
OC-SP-0003388
Discovered
Phylum
Cnidaria
Species ID
OC-SP-0003388
Provisional Species Name
Imbricacis sp_MAL1_272
Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS
Imbricacis
Lowest Known Rank
Genus
Status
Discovered
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Embargo
No
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Cnidaria
Class
Octocorallia
Order
Malacalcyonacea
Family
Acanthogorgiidae
Genus
Imbricacis
Taxonomic Remarks
Only one species, Imbricacis foliata, Matsumoto & Ofwegen, 2023, has been described from the Indian Ocean with a small fragment. The sclerites of the Materials are examined in a Scanning Electron Microscope. All sclerite features are different from those of species 1, those of any known species of the genus Imbricacis and undescribed species in the museum collection, which were found during the Species Discovery Awards travel (2026). It has never been reported from the Indian Ocean. This is the second record of this genus from the Maldives and the third species from the Indian Ocean.
Received All Minimal Data for Discovery
10/04/2026
Description of Material
Colony: Height: 35.2 cm, width: 37.3 cm (Fig.1) Live colour: Branch is grey with tint of green at the stem/base. Polyps are orange. Shape of the colony: Uniplanar fan Branching patterns: Irregular. Anastomoses exist (rare) Arrangement of polyps: three sides Branch diameter measurement is 9.1 mm at base and 2 mm at tip, with a maximum 8mm. Polyps: Height: 0.7-1 mm, width: 1.1-1.3 mm (Fig.2) Sclerites: different from sp.1 Colour of sclerites: Colourless
Distribution
Only known from Addu, Maldives, Indian Ocean. Depth 173 m.
Scientific Name Authorship
Matsumoto
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