New distribution records of three Sarcophyton species (Alcyonacea: Alcyoniidae) in Indian waters from Andaman Islands

Abstract

Three alcyonacean corals-Sarcophyton acutum Tixier-Durivault, 1970, S. latum (Dana, 1846) and S. spongiosum Thompson and Dean, 1931-under the family Alcyoniidae are reported from Andaman Islands as new records to Indian waters. The paper deals with the detailed taxonomic description of these three newly recorded alcyonacean species along with a note on their previously known distribution.