Michael P. Janes; Catherine S. McFadden; Thanongsak Chanmethakul

“ While the smaller maximal diameter of sclerites from Ovabunda andamanensis sp. n. are considered a taxonomic character of this species, the occasional hollow cavities in the microscleres are not; primarily due to limited sampling of the microscleres.
The results of our study suggest both the holotype and two paratypes of Ovabunda andamanensis sp. n. are the same species which can exhibit one or two rows of pinnules. Previous authors have suggested the number of rows of pinnules can be variable within a species and is therefore not a highly reliable taxonomic character. ”

“ Abstract AbstractA 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. ”

“ The stalks measure up to 8.0 mm tall and 5.0 mm wide at the base. A slightly convex capitulum is present at the distal end of the stalks from which moderately dense aggregations of polyps are growing. The polyp bodies are cylindrical, shrunken and measuring from their attachment at the capitulum to the base of the tentacle they are 1.5 mm long by 0.5 mm wide. Tentacles are slender, measuring up to 8.0 mm long by 0.2 mm wide with a blunt tip. There is one row of pinnules present on either side of the tentacle (Fig. 2b at arrow) with 17 to 19 pinnules in a row. ”