A Global Mission

The mission of the Ocean Census is to accelerate the discovery of ocean life to advance fundamental science, empower conservation, and fuel innovation for the future of our planet.

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Gallery

Phylum

OC-SP-0003393

Stacked from 41 images. Method=B (R=4,S=4)

Species ID

OC-SP-0003393

Discovered

Phylum

Cnidaria

Species ID

OC-SP-0003393

Provisional Species Name

Keroeides sp_FKt240224-674-CQ14

Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS

Keroeides

Lowest Known Rank

Genus

Status

Discovered

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Embargo

No

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Cnidaria

Class

Octocorallia

Order

Malacalcyonacea

Family

Keroeididae

Genus

Keroeides

Taxonomic Remarks

No species of this genus has ever been found in the East Pacific Ocean. This is the first record from the East Pacific Ocean and the first record from Chilean waters. The sclerites of the Materials are examined in a Scanning Electron Microscope. This is typical genus Keroeides rather than Keroeides sp. 1. All sclerite features are different from those of any known species of the genus Keroeides and the undescribed species in the museum collection, which were found during the Species Discovery Awards travel (2026).

Received All Minimal Data for Discovery

10/04/2026

Description of Material

Colony: Height 10 cm, width 9 cm (colony broken slightly towards base) (Fig.1) Branch colour: white Shape of the colony: Uniplanar fan Branching patterns: Irregular, Few Anastomoses Arrangement of polyps: biserial Polyps: Height: 0.052-0.081cm; Width: 0.092-0.146cm (Fig.2) Colour of sclerites: Colourless

Distribution

Only from the SyGR6 site in the East of Rapa Nui, in the East Pacific Ocean. Depth 260.77 m.

Scientific Name Authorship

Matsumoto

Stacked from 41 images. Method=B (R=4,S=4)

Join the census

The Ocean Census Alliance unites national and philanthropic marine institutes, museums, and universities, backed by governments, philanthropy, business and civil society partners.