Retiophyllia
Cuif, 1967: 125
Corals of this genus were earlier commonly described under the generic name of Thecosmilia Milne Edwards et Haime, 1848.
Type Species
Retiophyllia frechi nom.subs. Roniewicz 1989: 42, pl.7, fig.1-7; pl.9. fig.5; pl.13, fig.2; Original Designation Roniewicz 1989: 42,
Type Specimen: Holotype; GBA 2750; Verified; Dry Preserved
Type Locality: Fischerwiese, Zlambach Beds, Northern Calcareous Alps
Cuif 1967 based Retiophyllia on the specimen from Frech's collection erroneously determined by Frech 1890:9 as Thecosmilia fenestrata Reuss, 1854. In fact, the species of Frech does not correspond to T. fenestrata Reuss, 1854, as it has been stated by comparison of the holotypes of the both species (Roniewicz 1989:42). The Frech taxon, as a junior homonyme of T. fenestrata Reuss, obtained a new name Retiophyllia frechi Roniewicz, 1989:48 nom.subst. Retiophyllia fenestrata (Reuss, 1854) represents the septal pattern and details of septal microstructure different from those of Retiophyllia frechi.
Classification
Synonyms
Diagnosis
Phaceloid. Intercorallite connecting processes present or lacking. Increase intracalicular, through division without dividing septa and without linkages between the centers; corallites bifurcating or trifurcating, division equivalent. Radial elements costoseptal. Mid-septal zone from straight to zigzag. Peripherally, axiferous fascicles of fibers contibute regularly to the septal structure, in the remaining part of the septum, stereome is organized in more or less clearly delimited fascicles. A tendency is present to transform peripheral small- trabecular structure of the mid-septal zone into thick trabeculae. Lateral septal micromorphology in the form of granules or short menianes. Endotheca composed of small marginal and larger internal dissepiments. Wall epithecal pellicular; internal stereozone can develop.
Description
The microstructure was described by Cuif 1967: 1131,pl.4,fig.4 and Roniewicz 1989:43-45; this feature shows a large range of variability within the genus.
Comparisons
The genus differs from other phaceloid species in costoseptal type of radial elements, septal microstructure with zigzag midseptal zone, and pellicular epitheca.
Remarks
Five species in the Early Norian, over ten species in the Late Norian-Rhaetian.
Distribution
- Southern Europe; Late Triassic
- Central Europe; Late Triassic
- Eastern Europe; Late Triassic
- Central Asia; Late Triassic
- East Asia; Late Triassic
- Australasia; Late Triassic
- North America; Late Triassic
- South America; Late Triassic
Early Norian in the Taurus Mts, Anatolia and the Dachstein, Alps. Norian and Rhaetian all over the wortld.This page has been in preparation since 18-Apr-2009 15:44
This version was contributed by Ewa Roniewicz on 10-Nov-2010 18:32.
Page authors are: Ewa Roniewicz Francesca Benzoni. Please contact the editor if you would like to contribute to the diagnosis of this taxon.
The editor is: Ewa Roniewicz
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