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-0003394

Stacked from 24 images. Method=B (R=4,S=4)

Species ID

OC-SP-0003394

Discovered

Phylum

Cnidaria

Species ID

OC-SP-0003394

Provisional Species Name

Muriceides sp_FKt240108-649-CQ4-001

Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS

Muriceides

Lowest Known Rank

Genus

Status

Discovered

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Embargo

No

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Cnidaria

Class

Octocorallia

Order

Malacalcyonacea

Family

Acanthogorgiidae

Genus

Muriceides

Taxonomic Remarks

No species of this genus has been found in the South-East Pacific Ocean. 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 Muriceides and the undescribed/misidentified species in the museum collection, which were surveyed during the Species Discovery Awards travel (2026). This species is the first record from the East Pacific Ocean and the first record from Chilean waters.

Received All Minimal Data for Discovery

10/04/2026

Description of Material

Colony: Height: 21.132cm; Width: 13.514cm (Fig.1) Yellow with yellow polyps when alive. Uniplanar fan Branching patterns: Irregular, No Anastomoses Arrangement of polyps: biserially, sometimes all around. Polyps: Height: 0.38 - 1.58 mm; Width: 1.47 - 2.5 mm (Fig.2) Colour of sclerites: Colourless

Distribution

Known from JF1 site (Latitude: -33588776, Longitude: -78497868), Juan Fernandez Ridge, the South-East Pacific Ocean. Depth 490.76 m.

Scientific Name Authorship

Matsumoto

Stacked from 24 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.