Hydrasmilia

Turnšek and Senowbari-Daryan, 1994, p. 482

Type Species

Hydrasmilia rhytmica Turnšek and Senowbari-Daryan, 1994, p. 482, Pl.7, figs. 1-6; Original Designation Turnšek and Senowbari-Daryan, 1994, p. 482

Type Specimen: Holotype; GZNB A 151; Verified; Dry Preserved

Type Locality: Mandraki Bay, Hydra Island, Greece, Pantocrator Limestone, Carnian, Late Triassic

Diagnosis

Phaceloid with rhytmical thickenings of corallites observable in longitudinal section. Number of septa ca. 120 at the corallite diameters up to 8 mm x 12 mm. Budding intracalicular. Corallites oval to roundish in transverse section. Septa compact, equal in thickness, in 5-6 cycles (original diagnosis), with lateral granulations. Microstructure seems to be of subperpendicular, small trabeculae. Columella parietal. Endotheca subtabular in axial part and vesicular peripherally. ?Rare synapticulae.

Description

In addition to the type species, two other species from the Carnian from the Hydra Island were described, differing from the type with larger corallite diameters (up to 11mm x 20 mm) and number of septa of ca. 160 in H. fossulata, and ca. 180 in H ornamenta, the latter with intense granular septal ornamentation.

Comparisons

From the Lower Norian of the Dachsteinplateau, Northern Calcareous Alps, there was described the fourth species, H. laciana Roniewicz 2011:424, figs. 3A1-A3, differing from above three forms in far smaller number of septa at the same corallites diameters (density of septa 8 in 3 mm, while in those from Hydra Island, there is 7-8 septa or 11-12 septa in 2 mm). In addition, during budding in the Alpine species, there are produced corallites with small diameters, while corals from Hydra produced corallites of large diameters.

Remarks

Although primarily ascribed to Procyclolitidae, the genus has no features of this family (septa with a midline lacking unquestionable centers; lateral septal sides with compete menianes). In contrary, small trabeculae discernible in septa and granular septal ornamentation speak for a different affiliation of this genus. However, at its poor state of preservation, any conclusions concerning systematics of Hydrasmilia are impossible, resulting in its classification among genera of incertae familiae (Roniewicz 2011).

Distribution

• Southern Europe; Late Triassic

This page has been in preparation since 22-Aug-2013 16:40

This version was contributed by Ken Johnson on 22-Aug-2013 16:42.

Page authors are: Ewa Roniewicz. Please contact the editor if you would like to contribute to the diagnosis of this taxon.

The editor is: Ewa Roniewicz