axial structure

Summary

collective term for longitudinal structures (if present) occupying the axial zone of a corallite. They typically consist of the following structural elements, on their own or in various combinations: adaxially extended septa, septal elements more or less detached from septa proper (e.g. median plate), pali, paliform lobes, a styliform axial rod, tabular modifications, dissepimental structures, and tabellae. An axial structure commonly projects distally into the calicular cavity as a calicular boss. Bosses of composite elements are often made dense to solid by secondary thickening. In scleractinians, detached septal elements often form a non-projecting axial cluster of loosely tangled, spongy or papillose elements, commonly called a 'columella', whereas in rugosan usage, 'columella' is restricted in meaning (as here) to a single solid boss, rod, or plate-like axial structure. In serial corallite systems of scleractinians (e.g. in meandroid corals), axial structures are often elongated along the series, sometimes joined by distinct linkages or merged into a single continuous structure. See also separate entries for all the foregoing terms.

Orthography

Not yet available.

Description

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This version was contributed by Ken Johnson on 22-Apr-2008 14:35.