Margarophyllia cf. capitata ( Münster, 1841 )

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 : 415

Margarophyllia cf. capitata ( Münster, 1841)

Fig. 5E .

Material.—GBA 2009/019/2, a fragment of corallum in organodetrital limestone, with thin sections.

Measurements (in mm):

d s f 10×13 90 (12+12+24+42) 2.0

Remarks.—In its diameter, the coral resembles M. capitata ( Münster, 1841) described by Volz (1896: 46, pl. 3: 1–4). In contrast to the Carnian species, it has numerous septa (in M. capitata the index s:d is 6, while in the Norian taxon it is ca. 9), and a rudimentary columella formed by the axial borders of the longest septa.

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

Figures

Fig. 5. Margarosmiliid corals from vicinity of Feisterscharte, Austria, early Norian, Triassic. A–C. Ceriostella aff. variabilis Roniewicz and Stanley, 1998. A. GBA 2009/019/20; a colony in polished section. B. GBA 2009/019/22; transverse thin sections (B1, B2), note cerioid colony and a lack of columella; longitudinal section (B3) showing mode of growth of corallites at the periphery of lamellar colony. C. GBA 2009/019/23a; calice in longitudinal/oblique section showing rare granules on the septal side and internal border micromorphology (at the middle). D. Magarosmilia nova Turnšek, 1991; GBA 2009/019/4 i; transverse section. E. Margarophyllia cf. capitata (Münster, 1841); GBA 2009/019/2c; transverse section. F. Thamnomargarosmilia aff. prima Melnikova, 1996; GBA 1995/2/1/2f, c; transverse sections showing budding with lamellar linkages between centres (F1), and a typical circular shape of adult corallite (F2) with a new one growing laterally. G, H. Margarosmilia adhios sp. nov. G. GBA 2009/019/18a; a fragment of transverse section (G1) of a corallite with traces of microstructure; longitudinal section (G2) of corallite showing small dissepiments. H. GBA 2009/019/19a, c; transverse section of phaceloid corallum (H1); a section of the corallite at a preliminary stage of sub−symmetric division (H2).