20
1
January
47
58
SANDO, W. J. 1977. Significance of coiled protocoralla in some Mississippian horn corals. Palaeontology, 20, 1, 47–58.
William J. Sando Planispirally coiled protocoralla are described in Cyathaxonia tantilla (Miller) from the Lower Missis-sippian (Lower Carboniferous) of the western United States, the first record of this phenomenon in corals. Coiling is interpreted as a mode of attachment of young coralla to planktonic algae. The postulated pseudoplanktonic growth habit may be a significant factor in the widespread distribution of this species and other species of Cyathaxonia, which are generally found in rocks that record a bottom environment considered unfavourable for optimum coral growth. The Palaeontological Association (Free Access)