taxonID	type	description	language	source
3F6C66CF8DF85F099CFEC309A6A1F2B9.taxon	type_taxon	Type species. Lignella hartogi van Ofwegen, 1990, by original designation.	en	Samimi-Namin, Kaveh, McFadden, Catherine S. (2025): Integrative phylogenomic and morphological evidence for Pseudothelogorgiidae fam. nov., with a redescription of Pseudothelogorgia hartogi (Octocorallia, Malacalcyonacea). ZooKeys 1261: 201-221, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1261.171874
3F6C66CF8DF85F099CFEC309A6A1F2B9.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Indo-Pacific, shallow to mesophotic (18 – 207 m depth).	en	Samimi-Namin, Kaveh, McFadden, Catherine S. (2025): Integrative phylogenomic and morphological evidence for Pseudothelogorgiidae fam. nov., with a redescription of Pseudothelogorgia hartogi (Octocorallia, Malacalcyonacea). ZooKeys 1261: 201-221, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1261.171874
3BC36559C6F65562A149D6003AE46D7B.taxon	description	Figs 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10	en	Samimi-Namin, Kaveh, McFadden, Catherine S. (2025): Integrative phylogenomic and morphological evidence for Pseudothelogorgiidae fam. nov., with a redescription of Pseudothelogorgia hartogi (Octocorallia, Malacalcyonacea). ZooKeys 1261: 201-221, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1261.171874
3BC36559C6F65562A149D6003AE46D7B.taxon	description	Description. The present redescription of Pseudothelogorgia hartogi is based primarily on paratype material (RMNH. COEL. 17782). The holotype (USNM 83607) was examined from fragments and permanent slides housed in the RMNH collection, but the colony material was insufficient for SEM. Paratypes, collected at the same station and date as the holotype (Cruise 4 B, Sta. 221 A), are morphologically identical in colony form and sclerite composition (van Ofwegen 1990, 1994). Accordingly, SEM images and detailed sclerite descriptions are derived from paratypes, with consistency between holotype fragments, slides, and paratypes confirmed in this study. In addition, recently collected material from the Gulf of Oman (UF 16054, RMNH. COEL. 39634) provided supplementary information, including molecular data and the in situ photographs of living colonies. The paratypes are arborescent colonies about 15 cm tall with sparse lateral branching (Fig. 3 A). The branches arise irregularly but are mostly dichotomous, and reach a length of 7 cm. The polyps are cylindrical, arranged in a spiral around the branches (Fig. 3 C). They are not retractable into the coenenchyme of the branches, but they are contracted and curved inward toward the axis. The main stem of the colony lacks polyps. There are several parallel furrows on the main axis which extend all the way up and into the smaller branches (Fig. 3 B). Polyps and coenenchyme of branches with slender spindles up to about 0.45 mm long with spines and simple tubercles (Fig. 4). The polyps have similar spindles up to 0.25 mm long (Fig. 4 A), arranged in eight longitudinal tracts when contracted. At the base of the polyps the spindles are irregularly arranged more obliquely and transversely. Tentacles with small spiny rods up to 0.10 mm long (Fig. 4 A). The length of the spindles decreases from the main branch and base of the polyp towards the tentacles. Coenenchyme of branches is thin and translucent, with spindles with simple and complex tubercles up to 0.45 mm long (Fig. 5 A). Some of these large spindles are bent and have larger complex tubercles on one side (Fig. 5 A). Capstans present only in the coenenchyme of the main stem (Fig. 5 B). Axial cortex composed of fused sclerites (Fig. 5 C) surrounding a central tube.	en	Samimi-Namin, Kaveh, McFadden, Catherine S. (2025): Integrative phylogenomic and morphological evidence for Pseudothelogorgiidae fam. nov., with a redescription of Pseudothelogorgia hartogi (Octocorallia, Malacalcyonacea). ZooKeys 1261: 201-221, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1261.171874
3BC36559C6F65562A149D6003AE46D7B.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman; Indian Ocean.	en	Samimi-Namin, Kaveh, McFadden, Catherine S. (2025): Integrative phylogenomic and morphological evidence for Pseudothelogorgiidae fam. nov., with a redescription of Pseudothelogorgia hartogi (Octocorallia, Malacalcyonacea). ZooKeys 1261: 201-221, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1261.171874
C60E568E2E2B5240ACF740B661A195FD.taxon	type_taxon	Type genus. Pseudothelogorgia van Ofwegen, 1994. Excluded from Keroeididae Kinoshita, 1910 (see van Ofwegen 1990, 1994).	en	Samimi-Namin, Kaveh, McFadden, Catherine S. (2025): Integrative phylogenomic and morphological evidence for Pseudothelogorgiidae fam. nov., with a redescription of Pseudothelogorgia hartogi (Octocorallia, Malacalcyonacea). ZooKeys 1261: 201-221, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1261.171874
C60E568E2E2B5240ACF740B661A195FD.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Octocorals with a skeletal axis of consolidated sclerites embedded within a proteinaceous or calcitic matrix with hollow central core (no cross-chambering observed). Axial sclerites smooth, fused, densely packed around the central core forming pavement-like surface layer. Colonies arborescent, branching irregularly to dichotomously; branches cylindrical. Polyps monomorphic, non-retractile into the thin coenenchyme, arranged spirally along branches. Longitudinal furrows present along stem and branches. Polyps with tuberculate rods and spindles arranged as points; collaret absent; tentacles with rods; pharyngeal sclerites absent. Sclerites of the coenenchyme are rods and spindles with simple or complex tubercles. Capstans present in coenenchyme of the main stem. Azooxanthellate.	en	Samimi-Namin, Kaveh, McFadden, Catherine S. (2025): Integrative phylogenomic and morphological evidence for Pseudothelogorgiidae fam. nov., with a redescription of Pseudothelogorgia hartogi (Octocorallia, Malacalcyonacea). ZooKeys 1261: 201-221, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1261.171874
C60E568E2E2B5240ACF740B661A195FD.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Indo-West Pacific, shallow to mesophotic (18 – 207 m depth).	en	Samimi-Namin, Kaveh, McFadden, Catherine S. (2025): Integrative phylogenomic and morphological evidence for Pseudothelogorgiidae fam. nov., with a redescription of Pseudothelogorgia hartogi (Octocorallia, Malacalcyonacea). ZooKeys 1261: 201-221, DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1261.171874
