ON PENTAMPLEXUSSCHINDEWOLF, 1940 (ANTHOZOA, RUGOSA) AND ITS POSSIBLE RELATIVES AND ANALOGUES

Abstract

Three ampleximorphic taxa are revised and their most important characters are discussed in terms of possible or apparent relationships. Re-interpretation of its early ontogeny allows the assignment of Pentamplexus Schindewolf, 1940 Grabau, 1928. Amplexoid morphology is further shown to be inadequate for the establishment of relationships on the family or subfamily level. Early ontogeny is most important in that respect, but biform vs normal morphology in the tabularium and free vs contratingent development of minor septa must also be considered, where appropriate.

Vojnovskytesidae – a new family of Mississippian Rugosa (Anthozoa)

“…Thus, most remarks and conclusions of that paper are considered valid and are not repeated here. The wide mor-phological variability of corallites, recognized earlier by Vojnovsky-Krieger (1934) in the type species, Stereolasma variabile, and followed by Fedorowski (2009a), is confirmed herein, although both of those authors expanded that variability too far. Some specimens included by Vojnovsky-Krieger (1934) in that species belong to Rotiphyllum and some others may represent Weyerelasma Kullmann and Liao, 1985 fig.…”

“…A possible relationship of that genus to both Thuriantha and Vojnovskytes has already been discussed and rejected by Fedorowski (2009a). Here we follow that position, although a relationship at the family level cannot be excluded.…”

“…First they are unique in that their morphology combines features which alone are common in a number of other remotely related and/or unrelated high level taxa. Second, similar sets of characters recognized by Vojnovsky-Krieger (1934) and Fedorowski (2009a) in specimens from the southern Urals were found in the currently described specimens from correlative and younger strata in northern Spain. These widespread occurrences suggest that the palaeogeography of the Mississippian was such that it allowed animals as sensitive to environmental conditions as corals to migrate long distances.…”

“…Domination of the protosepta and the alar septa in the earliest preserved growth stage (Text- fig. 4G), pointed out by Fedorowski (2009a), only slightly exceed that common for early growth stages of taxa passing through rotiphylloid or zaphrentoid stages in early ontogeny. 2.…”

“…Features common for all three genera: a circulotheca, a slightly elongated counter septum, a triad, and a shallow dip of peripheral margins of septa into the sclerenchymal external wall suggest such a relationship. Fedorowski (2009a). Thus, most remarks and conclusions of that paper are considered valid and are not repeated here.…”