Species ID
OC-SP-0003385
Discovered
Phylum
Cnidaria
Species ID
OC-SP-0003385
Provisional Species Name
Bebryce sp_MAL1_086
Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS
Bebryce
Lowest Known Rank
Genus
Status
Discovered
Does the taxonomist(s) intend to work on this material further?
1. I/We would like support to publish my marine invertebrate species with SOSA - please click the button for more details.
Embargo
No
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Cnidaria
Class
Octocorallia
Order
Malacalcyonacea
Family
Acanthogorgiidae
Genus
Bebryce
Taxonomic Remarks
The sclerites of this specimen have a typical Bebryce character. Still, it doesn’t fit any of the known species in the Indian Ocean that were reported from Sri Lanka, the Red Sea, Oman, and Madagascar. The sclerites of the Materials are examined in a Scanning Electron Microscope. All sclerite features are different from those of any known species of the genus Bebryce and the undescribed species in the museum collection, which were found during the Species Discovery Awards travel (2026). This is the first record of this genus from the Maldives.
Received All Minimal Data for Discovery
10/04/2026
Description of Material
Colony : Length 6.5 cm, width 2.5 cm (Fig.1) Live colour: brownish Shape of the colony: thread-like Branching patterns: branches perpendicular to the main stem Arrangement of polyps: alternate biserial. Branch diameter measurement 0.8-1 mm. Polyps: Height: 1 mm, width: 1 - 1.5 mm (Fig.2) Colour of sclerites: Colourless
Distribution
Only from Huvadoo, Maldives, Indian Ocean. Depth 250 m.
Scientific Name Authorship
Matsumoto
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.
