Morphogenesis and Relationships of Trochophyllum Milne-Edwards and Haime, 1850 - Acta Palaeontologica Polonica Vol.34 No.1

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Detailed examination of the holotype and topotypes of the type species Trochophyllum verneuilanum Milne-Edwards and Haime clarifies the genus’ internal morphology and its comparison to related taxa. Trochophyllum is provisionally referred to the family Petralidae de Koninck, while systematic relationships of small aulate solitary corals remain uncertain. The genus is known only from Tournaisian (early Osagean) strata in Kentucky and Indiana, and previously reported occurrences outside the type locality are invalid or unconfirmable. Diagnostic traits include a highly variable aulos, reduced cardinal septum, and minor septa limited to foundations.

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Introduction

Material studied and occurrence

Vol.34,No.1 JERZY FEDOROWSKI and WILLIAM J.SANDO # MORPHOGENESIS AND RELATIONSHIPS OF TROCHOPHYLLUMMILNE-EDWARDS AND HAIME,1850(COELENTERATA,ANTHOZOA) FEDOROWSKI,J.and SANDO,w.J.:Morphogenesis and relationships of Trocho-phyllum Milne-Edwards and Haime,1850(Coelenterata,Anthozoe).Acta Palaeont.Polonica,34,1,3—46,1989. Detailed study of the holotype and topotypes of the type species of Trocho-phyllum Milne-Edwards and Haime reveals that this genus has a unique internalmorphology most simtar to Neazon Kullman.Although the systematic relation-ships of small,aulate solitary corals remain dubious,Trochophyllum is refer-red provisionally to the family Petralidae de Koninck.The genus is representedby the type species,T.verneuilanum Milne-Edwards and Haime,and the in-formal taxon T.sp.1,which 'are known only trom Tournaisian(early Osagean)strata in Kentucky and Indiana,USA.Previously published records of Trocho-phyllum outside the type locality of its type specles are either invalld or un-confirmable on present published information.Trochophyllum is distinguishedby a highly variable aulos that is typically of the stereotheca-type,filled withstereoplasm at maturity;axial tabulae absent or not preserved at maturity;cardinal septum shortened in the calice;and minor septa developed only asfoundations. Key w ords:corals,Rugosa,Carboniferous,systematies. Jerzy Fedorowski:Katedra Geologit,Unwersytet im.A.Micktewicza,ul.Miel-zyhsktego 27/29,61-715 Poznah,Poland.william J.Sando:U.S.Geological Survey,E-501 U.S.National Museum of Natural History,Washington,D.C.20380 USA.Recelved:May 1988, # INTRODUCTION Trochophyllum is a genus whose type species,T.verneuilanum Milne--Edwards and Haime,is comprised of small solitary corals known onlyfrom a narrow stratigraphic interval of Tournaisian (early Osagean)agein the New Providence Shale Member of the Borden Formation in north--central Kentucky and southern Indiana,USA.The holotype of T.ver-neuilanum has not been studied since Milne-Edwards and Haime(1850,1851)originally described the external features of the genus based on thissingle specimen collected by Verneuil from the classic ButtonmoldKnob locality near Louisville,Kentucky.No other primary type materialis known to exist.Stumm's(1948:pl.17:25—29)description and illustra- tions of transverse and longitudinal thin sections of a topotype andPickett's(1967:pl.1:12)discussion and illustration of a transverse thinsection of another topotype are the only means of presently evaluatingthe internal morphology of Trochophyllum.The paucity of detailed in-formation on morphological features needed for a modern appraisal ofthe systematic affinities of the genus,has led to disagreements betweencoral specialists concerning the relationships of this rare coral to othersimilar genera such as Permia Stuckenberg of Hudson and CrassiphyllumGrove(see Pickett 1967:7).The few species,exclusive of the type,assigned to Trochophyllum from Carboniferous rocks outside of the typearea,actually belong to other genera or need further study to determinetheir true affinities. The senior author became interested in Trcchophyllum during aninvestigation of small aulate solitary corals from the Carboniferous ofSpain and solicited the help of the junior author to compile informationon this peculiar coral.Because Trochophyllum is a part of the NorthAmerican Midcontinent (Southeastern Province)coral fauna,its systematicrelationships have an important bearing on the question of endemism ofthat fauna(see Sando et al.1977).This paper presents the results of adetailed joint study of the holotype and topotypes of the type speciesand provides our opinions concerning the systematic relationships andmorphogenesis of the genus. All figures in the text were drawn by the senior author,except wherenoted. Acknowledgements.—We are deeply grateful to Dr.Pierre Semenoff-Tian--Chansky,Institut de Paleontologie,Paris,for making the holotype available to usfor study and for permission

FAQs

Which coral taxon is the focus of the study?

The study focuses on Trochophyllum, especially its type species Trochophyllum verneuilanum Milne-Edwards and Haime, using the holotype and topotypes.

Where and in what stratigraphic interval is Trochophyllum found?

Trochophyllum is restricted to a narrow Tournaisian (early Osagean) interval in the New Providence Shale Member of the Borden Formation in Kentucky and southern Indiana.

What morphological characters distinguish Trochophyllum?

It is distinguished by a highly variable aulos typically of the stereotheca-type filled with stereoplasm at maturity, absence or poor preservation of axial tabulae at maturity, a shortened cardinal septum, and minor septa developed mainly as foundations.

Aug 29, 2026

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