Journal of the Marine Biological Association of India

New distribution records of three species of soft corals (Octocorallia: Malacalcyonacea) from the central Indian Ocean islands

Volume 68 Issue 1

Nayana Narayanankutty, C. A. Riyas, Minu Thomas, K. K. Idreesbabu and S. Sureshkumar

doi:10.6024/jmbai.2026.68.1.2649-08

Abstract

Lakshadweep forms the northernmost extension of the Central Indian Ocean Islands Ecoregion. Although 37 species of soft corals have been reported previously, their taxonomic identity and genetic diversity remain poorly resolved. In this study, we applied an integrated taxonomic approach combining external morphology, sclerite characteristics, and partial mitochondrial mtMutS gene sequences to identify soft corals from Lakshadweep. Three species, Lobophytum catalai, Sclerophytum polydactylum, and Dendronephthya hemprichi, were confirmed from the Lakshadweep Archipelago. These findings provide updated records for the region and contribute to a better understanding of the soft coral diversity in the Lakshadweep Archipelago. The results form a useful baseline for future research and conservation of octocorals in Indian coral reef ecosystems.

Keywords

Integrated taxonomy, mitochondrial DNA, mtMutS, Lakshadweep, Archipelago

Date : 27-05-2026