Species of the Silurian operculate coral genus Goniophyllum

The taxonomic relationship between all operculate genera of rugose corals is thoroughly discussed. The family Goniophyllidae includes the subfamilies Araeopomatinae and Goniophyllinae. Araeopomatinae is characterized by having only one type of opercular septa and includes Araeopoma and Rhytidophyllum. Calceola, Goniophyllum and Rhizophyllum with two types of opercular septa are brought to the subfamily Goniophyllinae. The morphology, ontogeny and taxonomy of the species of Goniophyllum from Upper Llandovery and Wenlock are described and illustrated. The ontogeny of this genus is represented by an early calceoloid and a late pyramidal stage. Goniophyllum pyramidale is separated into two subspecies, viz. G. pyramidale pyramidale and G. pyramidale primigena. The septal microstructure in Goniophyllum is multitrabecular.