wall pillars

Summary

a pillar-like structure extending upwards from the distal edge of a corallite wall into free space above the calicular surface of a colony. Pillars tend to develop at the angles of polygonal corallites. Pillars can only be seen on calicular surfaces and cannot be directly observed in sections or broken surfaces of a coral, but the site of a wall pillar can be inferred from node-like thickenings in the walls. Wall pillars are not common in coral, but are (e.g.) diagnostic of the scleractinian, Stylocoenia. Coenosteal pillars can be confused with wall pillars, but arise from the coenosteum, not the wall.

Orthography

Not yet available.

Description

Not yet available.

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