Felixaraea Beauvais, 1982

Löser, Hannes, 2013, Revision of the family Felixaraeidae (Scleractinia; Cretaceous), Geodiversitas 35 (4), pp. 747-765 : 751-752

Genus Felixaraea Beauvais, 1982

TYPE SPECIES. — Felixaraea rennensis Beauvais, 1982 by original designation.

RANGE. — Late Turonian to Maastrichtian.

DISTRIBUTION. — Western and Central Tethys and Caribbean.

DIAGNOSIS. — Solitary cylindrical coral. Calicular outline elliptical. Radial elements regularly and moderately perforated. Microstructure of large trabeculae. Radial elements in cross-section externally thick, becoming thinner towards the centre, first generation disproportionately thicker than other generations. Symmetry of radial elements irregularly radial. Cycles of radial elements subregular. Septal generations differ in length and thickness. First septal generation reaches to the centre of the calice, further generations are subsequently shorter. Radial elements of younger generations often connected to radial elements of older ones. Septal upper border coarsely granulated, lateral face with thick granulae. Costae present, with coarse granules on their surface. Synapticulae present, abundant. Columella absent. Endotheca consists of numerous dissepiments. Wall absent. Epitheca present.

SPECIES

Currently, five species are assigned to this genus: F. gigantea ( Oppenheim, 1930) , F. pollicaris ( Oppenheim, 1930) , F. pratzi ( Felix, 1903) , F. rennensis Beauvais, 1982 , and F. reticularis ( Oppenheim, 1930) . They may be partly synonymous. Leptophyllia agassizi Vaughan, 1899 is also included in this genus. Here, the various species are only distinguished on the basis of their septal numbers.

REMARKS

The type species was illustrated by Alloiteau (1952, 1957) but a description was not provided. The first valid description was provided by Beauvais (1982). The most striking feature in Felixaraea is the connection between synapticulae and perforated radial elements, appearing like long and strong apophysal septa that do not exist. The highly perforated radial elements of younger cycles receive more stability through the synapticulae.

Felixaraea agassizi ( Vaughan, 1899) ( Fig. 1 A-C)

Leptophyllia agassizi Vaughan, 1899: 242 , pl. 40, figs 1-4 (v).

Paracycloseris nariensis – Baron-Szabo 2008: 180, pl. 17, figs 7-9 [non 1-6] in part (v).

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — MCZ 114215 (holotype), USNM #315 , USNM #375 c, USNM #427 ; four thin sections.

DIMENSIONS. — MCZ 114215, c 13.5- 15 mm, s 192; USNM #427, c 26-27 mm, s 192; USNM #315, c 26- 29 mm, s 192.

OCCURRENCE. — Maastrichtian of Jamaica (Westmoreland) Mint, Solomon Mt. Early/Late Maastrichtian boundary of Jamaica (Westmoreland) Jerusalem Mt Inlier. Late Maastrichtian of Jamaica (Clarendon) Grantham, Rio Minho.

Figures

FIG. 1. — A-C, Felixaraea agassizi (Vaughan, 1899); A, B, holotype of Leptophyllia agassizi (MCZ 114215); A, transversal section. B, longitudinal section; C, USNM #427, transversal thin section; D-F, Felixaraea pratzi (Felix, 1903); D, syntype of Haplaraea pratzi (BSPG 1878 XI 413#1),transversal thin section; E, F, GPS FLX 8028; E, transversal thin section; F, longitudinal thin section; G-I, Felixaraea rennensis Beauvais, 1982; G, holotype of Felixaraea rennensis (MNHN.F.R10953), transversal thin section; H-I, GPS FLX 8027. H, transversal thin section; I, longitudinal thin section; J-L, Filkornia parasolitaria LÖser, holotype (ERNO L-7043); J, colony surface. K, transversal thin section; L, longitudinal thin section. Scale bars: A, C-L, 10 mm; B, 5 mm.