Species ID
OC-SP-0003390
Discovered
Phylum
Cnidaria
Species ID
OC-SP-0003390
Provisional Species Name
Imbricacis sp_MAL1_382
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 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 first record of this genus from the Maldives and the second species from the Indian Ocean.
Received All Minimal Data for Discovery
10/04/2026
Description of Material
Colony: Height 16.7 cm, width 10.8 cm (Fig.1) Branch colour is whitish-cream with orange polyps when alive. Shape of the colony: Uniplanar fan Branching patterns: Dichotomous Arrangement of polyps: Three side of polyps Branch diameter measurement (tip/base) 7 mm, maximum 9 mm. Commensal of brittle stars. Polyps: Height: 1.1-1.3 mm, width: 1-1.2 mm (Fig.2) Sclerites: brunt spindles, outer surface rather smooth Colour of sclerites: Colourless
Distribution
Only known from Fuvahmulah, Maldives, Indian Ocean. Depth 499 m.
Scientific Name Authorship
Matsumoto
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