Species ID
OC-SP-0003397
Discovered
Phylum
Cnidaria
Species ID
OC-SP-0003397
Provisional Species Name
Nicella sp_MAL1_779
Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS
Nicella
Lowest Known Rank
Genus
Status
Discovered
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Embargo
No
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Cnidaria
Class
Octocorallia
Order
Scleralcyonacea
Family
Ellisellidae
Genus
Nicella
Taxonomic Remarks
The flattened Chrysogorgiidae like polyps and branching. But the sclerites are those of the family Ellisellidae. It reminds the genus Riisea (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860). The genus Riisea has been found only in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and the Gulf of Mexico. Examining one of the type materials of Riisea paniculata during the Species Discovery Awards travels, the sclerites are different from those of the genus Riisea. This species is still in the genus Nicella, however, it is a potential new genus. It has never been reported from the Indian Ocean. This is the first record of this genus from the Maldives and the fourth species from the Indian Ocean.
Received All Minimal Data for Discovery
10/04/2026
Description of Material
Colony: Height 37.50 cm, width 26.25 cm (Fig.1) Live colour: white branches with pale peach polyps Shape of the colony: Uniplanar fan Branching patterns: Flabellate with alternate pinnate at the tip Short branch at the tip Medium-dense branching No anastomoses Arrangement of polyps at tips of the branch: Biserial alternate Branch diameter measurement (tip/base) 5.8 at base to 0.5 mm at tip, maximum 4 mm. Polyps: Height: 0.5-0.9 mm, width: 0.5-0.8 mm (Fig.2) Colour of sclerites: White
Distribution
Only known from Vaavu, Maldives, Indian Ocean. Depth 118 m.
Scientific Name Authorship
Matsumoto
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