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Intraspecific morphological variations in a Pleistocene solitary coral, Caryophyllia (Premocyathus) compressa Yabe and Eguchi

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2015

Kei Mori
Kei Mori*
Affiliation:
Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980 Japan
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Abstract

Intraspecific morphological variations have been investigated based on 1,090 specimens of a Pleistocene solitary scleractinian coral, Caryophyllia (Premocyathus) compressa Yabe and Eguchi. Special attention has been paid to variations in septal arrangements, septal numbers, insertion patterns of third-cycle septa, and pali. The specimens contain nine different septal plans from hexameral to decatetrameral, among which those having a decameral plan are the most common. There is a clear regularity in number and position of the third-cycle septa. Specimens in which the third cycle is incomplete are also considered to be mature forms. Number and position of pali are intimately related to the number and insertion pattern of the third-cycle septa. In extreme cases, there exist specimens having only two cycles of septa and lacking pali. Ninety-nine varieties in septal arrangements are considered to be present in the fossil population, although only 57 have been found in the collection. The present species includes many specimens which do not show bilateral symmetry.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Paleontology , Volume 61 , Issue 1 , January 1987 , pp. 21 - 31
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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