Truncatoflabellum sp.

Fig. 13E, F

Material examined.

SAMC_A073161 (1 specimen): Eastern margin, 25 km from Port St. Johns/ 16 km off Cwili Estuary, 31°49'59.99"S, 29°40'00.00"E; 140-145 m.

Description.

Corallum small, with thecal edges diverging at 30°. Calice flared and elliptical (GCD:LCD = 1.7), with a slightly serrated calicular margin. Specimen examined 12.7 × 7.6 mm in CD, 1.3 mm in PD, and 14.2 mm in H. Theca smooth. Thecal faces diverge in an angle of ~ 60°, and thecal edge of ~ 23°. Specimen has anthocyathus still attached to anthocaulus, but a fracture line indicates that they were about to transversely divide. Corallum white.

Septa thick and hexamerally arranged in four cycles, the last being incomplete, according to the formula: S1-3> S4 (45 septa). S1-3 axial edges straight, but become slightly sinuous deeper in fossa. S4 rudimentary and bearing sinuous axial margin. Septal faces smooth, occasionally with sparsely arranged granules. Fossa of moderate depth, with a rudimentary columella formed by the fusion of the S1-3 lower axial margins.

Distribution.

Regional: Eastern margin of South Africa, off Port St. Johns; 140-145 m.

Remarks.

The examined specimen is unique in its calice being flared, lateral margin diverging at an angle of 23°, and having distinctly thick septa. More specimens are needed to confirm the possibility of it being an undescribed species.