Distichophyllia, Cuif, 1975

Vasseur, Raphaël & Lathuilière, Bernard, 2021, Pliensbachian corals from the Western Tethys, Geodiversitas 43 (22), pp. 1187-1291 : 1249-1252

Distichophyllia ? sp.

( Fig. 43 )

Distichophyllia sp. 4 ? – Vasseur 2018: 182-183, fig. 3.32.

STUDIED SAMPLES. — Three specimens: CPUN AM16177-5, CPUN AM16177-9, CPUNAML8-1. GEOGRAPHIC AND STRATIGRAPHIC RANGES. — Pliensbachian of Amellagou and Dades Valley ( High Atlas of Morocco).

DESCRIPTION

Solitary, probably conical corallum, subcircular. Radial elements are bicuneiform costosepta for the first orders, thin for the last ones, often in zigzag and organized in 3 size orders following a relatively strict hexameral symmetry. Septa are compact, free, ornamented with granules sometimes attenuated by stereome layer deposits on lateral faces. No columella but an axial fossa sometimes elongated that thus defines a bilateral symmetry. Endotheca probably made of peripheral dissepiments but not observed. Wall probably parathecal. An epicostal epitheca s.l. seems to cover the external parts of the corallum.

Calicular diameter: 15 to 17.8 mm – Number of septa: approximately 30 - 35 – Septal density: 3 per 2 mm.

SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

Differs from previously reported species of Distichophyllia by a more circular shape in transverse section, smaller diameter and number of septa, a thick and better defined wall. This could be a young stage of any of them.

Figures

FIG. 43. — Distichophyllia? sp.: A, distal view of the specimen CPUN AM16177-5; B, specimen pictured in the field (Dades Valley, Morocco); C, transverse thin section of the specimen CPUN AML8-1; D, distal view of the specimen CPUN AM16177-9. Scale bars: A, 6 mm; B, C, D, 4 mm.