First record of Zoanthus gigantus Reimer & Tsukahara, 2006 (Anthozoa, Hexacorallia) from Indian waters, South Asia

Abstract

Zoanthus gigantus, family Zoanthidae, is reported for the first time from south Asia. The earlier distribution of the species has been known only from Japan, China, and Taiwan waters. Colonies of Z. gigantus were noticed along Saurashtra coast, Gujarat, during a field survey, in frame of monitoring Zoantharian diversity along Indian coast. Species was identified using morphological and histological examination. The occurrence of Z. gigantus from this additional biogeographic region highlights the distribution range extension of the species.