Dr.Rafael,

I agree with  your observation that it could be M.dichotoma.

It would be better if you could go for DNA-barcoding. Sequences  of (cytochrome oxidase I gene [COI] and nuclear Pax-C intron [PaxC]) are used  as  MARKERS for  for  the genetic identification of Corals.

Here is a couple of references:

1. Identification of scleractinian coral recruits using fluorescent, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4161427/:..

2. J.Nigel et al, DNA barcoding as a tool for coral reef conservation. Coral Reefs,2007,DOI: 10.1007/s00338-007-0248-4

GOOD LUCK!

Dear Rafael,

Your identification is probably correct. See:

Razak, T.B., Hoeksema, BW (2003) The hydrocoral genus Millepora (Hydrozoa: Capitata: Milleporidae) in Indonesia. Zool. Verh. Leiden 345: 313-336. 

It can be downloaded via: http://repository.naturalis.nl/document/46847

In reply to Jacskon: Millepora is not a scleractinian. Barcoding only helps when material in genbank has been identified correctly. Use of morphological characters is fast and without expenses.

Best wishes, Bert

Dear Dr. Bert 

You are absolutely correct and thanks for pointing it out because some one could misunderstand the reference (though I didn't mean it in that way) but my sincere purpose was to suggest a couple of reference for DNA- Barcoding of corals in general, in case he would like to go for molecular identification.

Thanking you once again.

Dear Rafael,

Here in Brazil we have a specialist in Milleporidae. Her name is Fernanda Duarte Amaral and you can get in touch with her by e-mail: [email protected]

Hope this works!

To Mr. Achankunju,

Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately, we currently don't have the resources to carry out DNA-barcoding, so I will jusy have to rely on morphological/visual indetification of the animal as suggested by Dr. Hoeksema.

But thanks anyway!

To Dr. Grohmann,

I will contact Dr. Amaral on the email address you mentioned. Thank you very much for your kind assistance.

Dear Rafael,

It should be M. dichotoma. Maybe you can ask to my colleague Dr Emilie Boissin to do extraction and sequences. She currently works about molecular biology of all Milleporidae and she needs samples from all over the world. Her email address is [email protected]

Best regards

Chloé

This is  M. dichotoma

Best wishes

Thank you very much Prof. Al-Sofyani.

I am not familiar with Milleporids from that part of the world, but I suggest contacting Caroline Dube who knows a lot about them. her email is: [email protected]

Good luck!

Mark

Thanks, I wiil contact her

Bet wishes