Hexaflos
Pandey and Fuersich, 2005, p. 135
Genus Irania with the type species Irania hexagonalis Pandey and Fürsich 2003 was described from the Bathonian Parvadeh Formation west of Ghadir, Khid-e-Baluch, east-central Iran (Pandey and Fürsich 2003: 124). However, the name Irania was found preoccupied by the White-throated Robin Irania Filippi 1863 (a passerine bird), the Cretaceous gastropod Irania Douvillé 1904, and the Cambrian preasaphiscid trilobite Irania King 1937 (= Iranoleesia King 1955). Pandey and Fürsich (2005) therefore propose the new name Hexaflos, based on the flower-like appearance (flos, Latin = flower, blossom) of the coral and the hexameral arrangement of its corallites. The type species of the genus consequently becomes Hexaflos hexagonalis (Pandey and Fürsich 2003) (Pandey and Fürsich 2005: 135).
Type Species
Irania hexagonalis Pandey and Fürsich 2003, 124, pl.38, fig. 1-4, 6, text fig. 6; Original Designation
Type Specimen: Holotype; PIW2002V 64; Verified; Dry Preserved
Type Locality: Bathonian, Parvadeh Formation west of Ghadir, Khid-e-Baluch, east-central Iran.
Holotype and paratypes (PIW2002V65-68) described and illustrated by PANDEY AND FÜRSICH 2003: 124-125.
Classification
Diagnosis
Corallum colonial, pyramidal, extracalicular increase, hexameral. Lower surface with holotheca and feebly developed fronds originating from near the center, covered with fine granules. Corallites monocentric, arranged hexamerally in rings around central large corallite. Calices hexagonal, polygonal to subcircular in outline. Septa-costae compact, free, exsert, non-confluent, few in number. Costae dying out proximally, occasionally continuing up to peduncle of the corallum, those of the first cycle thickest, those of higher cycles increasingly thinner. Wall septothecal or septo-parathecal, incomplete near the upper margin of the corallite. Columella indistinct or absent.
Comparisons
Cymosmilia Koby (1984) is the closest comparable genus with respect to extracalicular increase at the edge zone and monocentric arrangement of calices. However, the hexameral addition of corallites, incompleteness of the individual corallites, and inverted pyramidal shape of the corallum do not occur in any of the corals of the family Rhipidogyridae.
Remarks
Monospecific genus.
Distribution
- Central Asia; Middle Jurassic
Bathonian, Parvadeh Formation west of Ghadir, Khid-e-Baluch, east-central Iran.This page has been in preparation since 15-May-2009 17:01
This version was contributed by Bernard Lathuilière on 04-Dec-2009 07:44.
Page authors are: Dhirendra Kumar Pandey. Please contact the editor if you would like to contribute to the diagnosis of this taxon.
The editor is: Bernard Lathuilière
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