Taxonomic status and geographic distribution of Phycogorgia fucata (Valenciennes 1846) (Octocorallia: Gorgoniidae)

The octocoral research in Chile has been concentrated along the Patagonian coast; there are few reports about octocoral taxa living north of the fjord region. Although some species have been recorded and collected, the taxonomy is not clear and is in need of reappraisal. Herein we revisit the genus Phycogorgia. The original type material of the monospecific genus Phycogorgia was analysed in this study. Additional material was collected along the Chilean coast, and information on geographic distribution gathered, which reflects the limited biogeographic distribution of this genus throughout the eastern Pacific Ocean. Phycogorgia fucata is characterized by having conspicuous frondose, leaf-like branches which are wide, and strongly flattened; the axes are flat and expanded with carbonate hydroxylapatite mineralized fibres in the central core; the polyps are totally retractile in the coenenchyme in low polyp-mounds; the sclerites are basically capstans, and spindles. The species is re-described and a paratype is designated from the original type material of Valenciennes, establishing the species name correctly following the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature regulations. Phycogorgia fucata was found along the Chilean coast from Concepción to Valdivia, 29–40°S, biogeographically called the Intermediate Area, showing colony morphological variation.