Fungiaphyllia praecursor n. sp.

(Fig. 18)

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 65F1F175-9191-46B3-BE67-C3DFFDA08305

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype CPUN Gu 0905E4-1; paratypes: CPUN Gu 0905E4-2 to 21 (20 samples). STUDIED SAMPLES. — CPUN Gu 0905E4-1, CPUN Gu 0905E4-2 to Gu 0905E4-21 (21 samples).

ETYMOLOGY. — The species name refers to the fact that this coral is a pioneer as living in such deep environment.

TYPE HORIZON. — Upper Pliensbachian (Margaritatus zone). TYPE LOCALITY. — Guigou plateau, Middle Atlas of Morocco, 33°27’32”N, 4°56’38”W. GEOGRAPHIC AND STRATIGRAPHIC RANGES. — Pliensbachian (Margaritatus zone) of Middle Atlas (Morocco).

DESCRIPTION

Solitary, discoid to subhemispheric corallite. Subcompact, straight or curved costo-septa often contratingent, giving to the septal apparatus a typical branching aspect. Lateral faces with irregular granules sometimes flattened and protruding or looking like small sharp spines. Distal edge with sharp-edged teeth made by the projection of trabeculae. A relatively regular hexameral symmetry can be deciphered, especially with the external part of radial elements. No columella observed. Endotheca made of very rare and thin vesicular dissepiments. Synapticulae present. Wall not observed.

Calicular diameter: 10 to 20 mm – Number of septa: 106 to 152 – Septal density: 4 - 6 for 2 mm.

SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES

F. praecursor n. sp. differs from F. rotunda n.sp. and F.communis by its long first-orders costae that exceed the periphery of the calice, a very rare endotheca and a more distal living environment.