Article: Coralline algae from the Miocene of Malta

The morphology and systematics often coralline algae are described from the Miocene of Malta. The corallines occur in great abundance and are the principal constructors of rhodoliths and frameworks of the Coralline Algal Biostrome. The corallines are well preserved and many show previously undescribed reproductive structures. The eleven species comprise two species of Archaeolithothamnium, two of Lithothamnium, two of Mesophyllum, four of Lithophyllum, and one species of Lithoporella. Two new species of Lithophyllum (L. bahrijense and L. mgarrense) are described.The morphology of the framework-building Mesophyllum commune is described in detail. The success of this species as a limestone constructor is attributed to its foliaceous growth habit combined with various methods of crust division, fusion, and branch growth.This coralline flora is most similar to that of the Miocene of North Africa.