A new record of ahermatypic coral Paracyathus pruinosus Alcock, 1902 (Scleractinia: Caryophylliidae) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Abstract

Paracyathus pruinosus Alcock, 1902, (Scleractinia: Caryophylliidae) was found from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, representing a new addition to the ahermatypic corals of India and the central Indian Ocean. The corallites of Paracyathus pruinosus were solitary, short, stout, elliptical and solid, mostly found under caves and slightly deep. Costae were granular, flat and equal. Septa were arranged closely and lined with granular ridges. Tentacles were found to extend only during night. The present record of P. pruinosus from Andaman and Nicobar Islands not only represents a new addition to the Caryophylliidae of the Central Indian Ocean, but also calls for conducting in-depth studies with a special emphasis to the under-studied caryophylliids of India.

Keywords

• Ahermatypic coral
• Caryophylliidae
• Central Indian Ocean
• New record.