A deep-sea stalked tunicate Culeolus suhmi Herdman (1881) (Ascidiacea: Pyuridae) from the Central Indian Ridge

The deep-sea stalked tunicate species Culeolus suhmi has reported a near the off-axis of a seamount in the Mid-Ocean Ridge sector of the Central Indian Ridge. The megabenthic communities were collected using a benthic sledge from depths between 2140 and 2348 m. This species identification was based on morphological characteristics, and the evolutionary placement was determined using a molecular study of the 18S rRNA gene. This analysis supported the monophyly of the clade belonging to the family Pyuridae. This study is part of a baseline assessment of the environment and benthic ecology, and it will assist in evaluate the impact of future massive sulphide exploitation in the Indian Ocean.