A New Species of Ovabunda (Octocorallia, Xeniidae) From the Andaman Sea, Thailand with Notes on the Biogeography of This Genus

Authors

Catherine S. McFadden, Harvey Mudd CollegeFollow
Michael P. Janes, AquaTouch
Thanongsak Chanmethakul, Phuket Rajabhat University, Thailand

Document Type

Article

Department

Biology (HMC)

Publication Date

2014

Abstract

A survey of xeniid octocorals was carried out in the waters off Southwestern Thailand in September, 2007. Microscopic investigation of the colonies revealed that three specimens belonged to the genus Ovabunda. Gross morphological examination is presented here accompanied by scanning electron micrographs of the sclerites. Molecular phylogenetic analysis showed identical genotypes at mtMutS, COI, and 28S rDNA for all three specimens and supports their generic assignment. Colony size and shape, sclerite size, and pinnule arrangement differ from nominal species of Ovabunda and thus a new species, O. andamanensis is introduced here. This work also presents a new eastern geographical record for the genus Ovabunda.

Comments

This article is also available at Zookeys.

Rights Information

© 2014 Catherine S. McFadden. Posted with permission.

DOI

10.3897/zookeys.431.7751

Recommended Citation

Janes MP, McFadden CS, Chanmethakul T (2014) A new species of Ovabunda (Octocorallia: Xeniidae) from the Andaman Sea, Thailand, with notes on the biogeography of this genus. ZooKeys 431: 1-17.