title: A new species of Ovabunda (Octocorallia, Xeniidae) from the Andaman Sea, Thailand with notes on the biogeography of this genus.
abstract: A 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. Molecular phylogenetic analysis showed identical genotypes at mtMutS, COI, and 28S rDNA for all three specimens and supports their generic assignment. Colony size and shape, sclerite size, and pinnule arrangement differ from nominal species of Ovabunda and thus a new species, O. andamanensis is introduced here. This work also presents a new eastern geographical record for the genus Ovabunda.
authors.affiliation: AquaTouch, 12040 North 32nd Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85028, USA.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Janes
authors.affiliation: Harvey Mudd College, Department of Biology, 1250 North Dartmouth Avenue, Claremont, California 91711, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: McFadden
authors.affiliation: Phuket Rajabhat University, Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Phuket, Thailand 83000.
authors.forename: Thanongsak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chanmethakul
keywords: Cnidaria; Coelenterata; SEM; phylogeny; sclerites; soft coral; taxonomy