Millepora alcicornis (branching fire corals) (San Salvador Island, Bahamas) 2 (15464096583)

Description:

Description: Millepora alcicornis Linnaeus, 1758 - branching fire corals in a patch reef. The tan-colored structures are calcareous skeletons of colonies of hydrozoan polyps. They are not true stony corals - fire corals are hydrozoans while true stony corals are anthozoans. Nematocysts in the tentacles of the small polyps deliver a painful sting. The skeleton of Millepora alcicornis has a complexly branching skeleton. Another species, Millepora complanata, also occurs in patch reefs around San Salvador Island - it's skeleton has a wrinkled bladed form. The overall skeletal shape of Millepora alcicornis is often a consequence of the fire coral encrusting octocoral skeletons. The spotted fish in the lower right corner is Lactophrys triqueter (smooth trunkfish). Classification: Animalia, Cnidaria, Hydrozoa, Milleporidae Locality: Snapshot Reef, Fernandez Bay, offshore from the western shoreline of San Salvador Island, eastern Bahamas. Date: 24 March 2011, 15:29. Source: Millepora alcicornis (branching fire corals) (San Salvador Island, Bahamas) 2. Author: James St. John.