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Journal of Paleontology
corallum height 20mm with cup-shaped calice, and interseptal ridges broad and flat. Marginarium a distinct peripheral stereozone, composed of
thick minor septa and thickened peripheral ends of major septa. Peripheral stereozone generally narrow in early stages, later gradually widening to 31% of corallum radius. Major septa
amplexoid, typically pinnately arranged, thinning gradually at first, then rapidly becoming attenuate, and extending into axial region, but without forming a whorl. Minor septa generally confined within stereozone. Cardinal septum short, generally prominent, in comparatively broad fossula (Figs. 7.1, 7.3, 7.7, 8.1, 8.3, 9.3, 9.8). Trabeculae absent to weakly developed (Fig. 7.4− 7.6, 7.9 −7.11). When present, trabeculae club-shaped, very thin, of rhabdacanthine type or with original microstructure unknown, coated by thick lamellar stereomes (Figs. 8.4, 8.6, 9.4, 9.6, 9.9, 9.10). Tabulae mostly complete, subhorizontal, or slightly arched with broad central platform and narrow down- turned margins (Figs. 7.2, 7.8, 8.2, 9.2, 9.7). Tabular spacing irregular, commonly spaced with 9− 13, rarely 5− 8, tabulae per 5mm. Dissepiments absent.
Materials.—Apart from the holotype, an additional four speci- mens of this species were examined during this study, including one (XACGS-G362) originally cited by Cao (1975) as the holo- type of Pilophyllia longiseptata (Cao, 1975), from the middle Ningqiang Formation (middle Telychian), Erlangba, Ningqiang County, Shanxi Province, and three new specimens (NIGP 166949−166951) from the middle Ningqiang Formation (middle Telychian), Dazhuba, Ningqiang County, Shanxi Province.
Remarks.—The specimen described as Ningqiangophyllum tenuiseptatum irregulare is transferred herein to Neopilophyllia n. gen. Another specimen similarly identified by Wang et al. (1986, pl. 2, fig. 2a −c) is likely a representative of Pilophyllia tenuiseptata. See more details in the discussion of Neopilo- phyllia irregularis (Cao, 1975). Thespecimenoriginallyidentified as Pilophyllia tenuisep-
tatum by He (1978) from the Ningqiang Formation (middle Telychian), Niufuling of Guangyuan, northern Sichuan, accords well with the revised diagnosis of P. tenuiseptata in most aspects. However, lack of information on its septal microstructure makes this identification tentative. Two additional forms, identified as ‘Pilophyllia tenuiseptatum irregulare (Cao)’ by He (1978) and P. tenuiseptata by He et al. (1989), are also likely to be representatives of P. tenuiseptata,but definite identifications require confirmation of their septal microstructure. The type material of Pilophyllia longiseptatum, illustrated
herein in Figure 8, shows close resemblance to P. tenuiseptata in most aspects. According to Cao (1975), who based comparison on holotypes of these two species, P. longiseptatum differs only in having slightly thicker major septa, a narrower peripheral stereozone, and more pronounced alar fossulae. We consider all of these features to be of low value as specific discriminators, whereas the presence of trabeculae in the holotype of P. longiseptatum (as confirmed by our observations) is regarded as more significant. However, a survey of new specimens, illustrated also in the present study, suggests that the development of trabeculae appears to be variable, from absent
(Fig. 7.6, 7.10, 7.11) to prominent (Figs. 8.4, 8.6, 9.4, 9.6, 9.9, 9.10). Thus, P. longiseptatum is more appropriately regarded as a synonym of P. tenuiseptata.
Pilophyllia angusta (Cao, 1975) Figure 10
v*1975 Ningqiangophyllum crassothecatum angustum Cao, p. 187, pl. 40, fig. 2a− c.
Holotype.—XACGS-G375, with one transverse section and one longitudinal section, middle Ningqiang Formation (middle Telychian), Dazhuba, Ningqiang County, Shanxi Province.
Diagnosis.—Pilophyllia with large corallum. Major septa comparatively thick, short, commonly 48 −68% of corallum radius. Minor septa generally confined within peripheral ste- reozone. Cardinal septum and fossula indistinct. Trabeculae coarse, club-shaped, clearly of rhabdacanthine type, coated by thick lamellar stereomes within peripheral stereozone. Tabulae generally complete, moderately spaced.
Description.—Coralla solitary, ceratoid, to 40mm diameter. Number of major septa 42 at 34mm corallum diameter. Marginarium a distinct peripheral stereozone, composed of thick minor septa and thickened peripheral ends of major septa. Peripheral stereozone generally narrow in early stages, later gradually widening to 30% of corallum radius. Major septa amplexoid, somewhat radially arranged, thinning gradually, and extending into tabularium, with length commonly 48 −68% of corallum radius, rarely extending close to axial region (Fig. 10.3). Minor septa generally confined within peripheral stereo- zone. Cardinal septum and fossula indistinct (Fig. 10.3). Tra- beculae coarse, club-shaped, thick, clearly of rhabdacanthine type, coated by thick lamellar stereomes within peripheral ste- reozone (Fig. 10.2, 10.4). Tabulae mostly complete, slightly arched with broad central platform and narrow downturned margins (Fig. 10.1). Tabular spacing generally regular, with 5 or 6 tabulae in 5mm. Dissepiments absent. [Translated from Cao (1975, p. 187), with minor revision based on our observations.]
Materials.—Holotype only.
Remarks.—Details of the septal microstructure of this species were not provided by Cao (1975), but are included herein in the revised description. This taxon was originally regarded as a subspecies of Neopilophyllia crassothecata (Cao, 1975). Illus- trations of its holotype herein show septa consisting of club- shaped trabeculae coated by lamellar tissues, with minor septa generally confined to the peripheral stereozone (Fig. 10.4). Both features are inconsistent with the diagnosis of Neopilophyllia n. gen. given below, and therefore the subspecies is promoted herein to species rank and transferred to Pilophyllia. Pilophyllia simplex is closely similar to P. angusta. This
species, with its holotype from the same horizon and locality as that of the latter, has similar septal length and microstructure, and tabular spacing. However, P. simplex differs in having an apparently smaller corallum and slightly thicker major septa
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