Palaeastraea
Kuehn, 1936: 26
The type species of the genus was classified (Frech 1890: 12 and 31) partly in Thecosmilia Milne Edwards et Haime, 1848, and partly in Phyllocoenia Milne Edwards et Haime, 1848, because of different state of preservation of the samples. Junior synonym: genus Thigmastrea Wells, 1937: 76 (type species: Phyllocoenia grandissima Frech).
Type Species
Thecosmilia (?) caryophylloides Frech, 1890: 12; Subsequent Designation Roniewicz 1989: 66
Type Specimen: Lectotype; BSPG AS XII 7; Verified; Dry Preserved
Type Locality: Fischerwiese, Northern Calcareous Alps. Zlambach Beds, Rhaetian, Late Triassic
From three specimens of Thecosmilia caryophylloides Frech: 12, two were illustrated: this from Fischerwiese in Frech 1890: pl. 3: 6, and that from the Donnerkogel, determined as T. cf. caryophylloides, in Frech 1890: pl. 3: 7; the first of them has been chosen by Roniewicz 1989: 67as the lectotype. Frech attributed the species to genus Thecosmilia with a question mark. The species is well described by colony structure and corallite diameters. The same features have two specimens of a group of morphotypes determined as Phyllocoenia grandissima Frech 1890:31,pl.9:3,5, and a coral in Kuehn 1936:26, figured in pl.1:1, determined by the latter author with specific name given by Frech, and chosen for the type of a new genus, Palaeastraea Kuehn. Wells 1937:76 created a new generic name Thigmastrea for Phyllocoenia grandissima Frech, 1890.
Classification
Synonyms
Diagnosis
Colony astraeoid in type. Wall lacking. Calices convex and separated from each other by a depression. Increase intracalicular by subequivalent division without skeletal connections between centers. Radial elements exsert, nonconfluent or subconfluent, costoseptal in type, fusiform; lonsdaleoid septa present. Dissepiments small, vesicular, abundant. Thickening of septal blades by incorporation of dissepiments. Septal sides with granulation. Mid-septal zone straight, wavy or zigzag. Lateral septal stereome thick.
Comparisons
Close to Kuehnastraea from which it differs in a tendency to thicken the septal blades by dissepiments, and in a lack of intercorallite wall.
Remarks
Six species in the Norian and Rhaetian of Europe and Asia.
Distribution
- Southern Europe; Late Triassic
- Central Asia; Late Triassic
- East Asia; Late Triassic
Dolomites, Carnian; Taurus Mountains, Lower Norian; Northern Calcareous Alps, Norian, Rhaetian; Far East: Koryak Mountains, Norian.This page has been in preparation since 19-Apr-2009 07:55
This version was contributed by Ewa Roniewicz on 06-Nov-2010 14:54.
Page authors are: Francesca Benzoni Ewa Roniewicz. Please contact the editor if you would like to contribute to the diagnosis of this taxon.
The editor is: Ewa Roniewicz
|