Trocharea cf. cupuloides Fischer, 1969

Vasseur, Raphaël & Lathuilière, Bernard, 2021, Pliensbachian corals from the Western Tethys, Geodiversitas 43 (22), pp. 1187-1291 : 1206

Trocharea cf. cupuloides Fischer, 1969

( Fig. 10 )

Trocharea cupuloides Fischer, 1969: 58 , pl. 6, fig. 4-6.

Trocharea sp. 1 – Vasseur 2018: 357-358, fig. 3.101.

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype: MNHN.F.R50397; paratype: MNHN.F.R50396. TYPE HORIZON. — Bathonian. TYPE LOCALITY. — Rumigny, Ardennes, France. STUDIED SAMPLES. — Two specimens: CPUN AM16132-3, CPUN AM16178-3. GEOGRAPHIC AND STRATIGRAPHIC RANGES. — Pliensbachian of Amellagou ( High Atlas of Morocco).

DESCRIPTION

Solitary discoid coral, circular in outline, fixed to its substratum (bivalve shell in this case) by its lower face, which morphology seems to have been governed by physical constraints sustained by the organism: in longitudinal radial section, one side is more elevated and laterally packed than the opposite one. Septa pennular, perforate, straight, free or joined with continuous horizontal meniana on lateral faces. Distal edge ornamented with small regular teeth. Axial zone with a restricted fossa and probably trabecular projections of septa in depth. The lower face of the corallum is layered by an epitheca s.l. of unknown nature. Endotheca made of rare dissepiments in depth. Synapticulae abundant. No bilateral nor hexameral symmetry observed.

Calicular diameter: 19.3 mm – Septal density: 16 for 5 mm – Estimated number of septa> 136.

Figures

FIG. 10. — Trocharea cf. cupuloides Fischer,1969: A, upper face of the specimen CPUN AM16178-3; B: lower face of the specimen CPUN AM16178-3; C, detail of polished section on the surface of the specimen CPUN AM16178-3; D, detail of the pennular septal structure in transverse polished section of the specimen CPUN AM16178-3; E, detail of the pennular septal structure in longitudinal polished section of the specimen CPUN AM16178-3. Scale bars: A, B, C, 5 mm; D, 2 mm; E, 1 mm.