Les Coralliophilidae, Gastropoda de l’Oligocene et du Miocene inferieur d’Aquitaine (Sud-Ouest de la France), systematique et coraux hotes [The Coralliophilidae, Gastropoda from the Oligocene and lower Miocene of Aquitaine (southwestern France), taxonomy and host corals]
| Year | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Journal | Geobios |
| Volume | 31 |
| Number | 2 |
| Pages | 171-185 |
| Type | article in journal |
| Id | 53053 |
Abstract
Six species of Coralliophilidae and three genera (Coralliophila, Leptoconchus and Galeropsis) are recognised from the Oligocene and Lower Miocene of Aquitaine: Lower Oligocene (C. renatimagnei), Upper Oligocene (L. costatus, C. burgidalensis and C. sacyi) and Lower Miocene (L. costatus, L. duvergieri, C. burgidalensis, C. sacyi and G. lavenayanus). Coralliophila renatimagnei is the oldest member of the Coralliophilidae recorded from the European Cainozoic and also the earliest boring species of the family, having been found within the Cladocora corals (Faviidae). The evolution of a Coralliophilidae with a borer life-style is related to the development of modern coral reefs. The genus Leptoconchus is recorded for the first time from the European Cainozoic. Two species were collected from Thegioastraea corals (Faviidae). Leptoconchus costatus is known from the Upper Oligocene to the Lower Miocene (Lower Aquitanian) and gave rise to L. duvergieri (Upper Aquitanian). Biometric analysis suggests gradual evolutionary change from L. costatus to L. duvergieri. The older Galeropsis species (G. lavenayanus) is redescribed from the Lower Miocene (Aquitanian). This species was found still attached to its coral host, Pocillopora madreporacea (Pocilloporidae), thereby establishing an ancient association between Galeropsis and Pocillopora. Finally, it is shown that QuoyulaIredale, 1915 is a synonym of GaleropsisHupe, 1860.