Conophyllia sp.

Roniewicz, Ewa, 2011, Early Norian (Triassic) corals from the Northern Calcareous Alps, Austria, and the intra-Norian faunal turnover, Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 56 (2), pp. 401-428 : 418-420

Conophyllia sp.

Fig. 6B, C.

Material.—A fragment of corallum GBA 2009/019/25 and fragmentary corallites in detrital limestone GBA 2009/019/3, with thin sections.

Measurements (in mm): Description.—Corallum phaceloid. Septa thin, covered with pennules, and differentiated in length into four size orders. In completely developed systems, the septa are arranged into descending series. The fine−structural, spongy columella is made of projections of the S1 septa. Dissepiments abundant, small, thin−walled. Budding intracalicular, asymmetrical, initiated by formation of lateral elongation of the calice.

Remarks.—The very fragmentary and poor state of preservation of the skeleton precludes any detailed comparisons with corals of known species. In its septal structure the coral fits the diagnosis of Conophyllia , but differs from it in the growth form. It is similar to Craspedosmilia Turnšek and Senow−

GBA 2009/019/ 4t –w. Transverse section (F 1), adaxial corallite part with wedge−like internal septal borders and lateral septal micromorphology in the form of pennular strucures (arrow); traces of microstructure in the form of a thick mid−septal line (F 2) (arrows); transverse section (F 3); note the lack of a structurally delimited wall; longitudinal section cutting the calice (F 4), thick pennular structures at the centre (arrow).

doi:10.4202/app.2009.0092

bari−Daryan, 1994 in growth form, but it differs in the structure of the columella (in that genus developed as a solid, large structure).

Stratigraphic and geographic range.— Austria: Northern Calcareous Alps, Dachstein Plateau, north of Feisterscharte, lower Norian, Epigondolella quadrata Conodont Zone.