Growth strategies of the tabulate coral Favosites bohemicus on unstable, soft substrates: An example from the Hamar Laghdad (Lower Devonian, Anti-Atlas, Morocco)

Król, Jan J.; Zapalski, Mikołaj K.; Jakubowicz, Michał; Berkowski, Błażej

doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2016.02.047

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…The overlying biostromes and small bioherms dominated by solitary rugosans, platy tabulates and tabular stromatoporoids, represent a typical example of an initial stage of the reef growth in the Siluro‐Devonian, referred to as a pioneering stage by Copper (), and a colonization stage by James and Bourque (). This fauna consists predominantly of taxa adapted to soft, muddy substrates, by either the ability to increase their growth rate rapidly and divert their growth direction in response to sediment instability (solitary rugosans, favositids; cf., Sorauf, ; Berkowski, ; Król, Zapalski, Jakubowicz, & Berkowski, ), or to produce thin, laterally widespread colonies stabilizing their position on the soft substrate (tabular tabulates and stromatoporoids; cf., Baarli, Johnson, & Keilen, ; Kershaw, ; Scrutton, ). The increasing role of laminar growth forms with depth among the corals and stromatoporoids is a common feature of the Devonian communities (Da Silva, Kershaw, & Boulvain, , ; Embry & Klovan, ; Gischler, ; James & Bourque, ; Kershaw, ; Kershaw & Riding, ; MacNeil & Jones, ; Playford, ; Scrutton, ; Tsien et al, ; Wilson, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the large distance separating Aferdou el Mrakib from the mainland Gondwana, terrigenous sediment could have been regularly supplied to the Mader Basin from the land area exposed to the north‐west (Kaufmann, ). Even calmer, soft sediment‐dominated setting can be suggested for massive Favosites tabulates and Phillipsastrea rugosans, which most likely inhabited slope‐related habitats at some distance from the reef crest (cf., Edinger, Copper, Risk, & Atmojo, ; Gibson & Broadhead, ; Gischler, ; Król et al, ; MacNeil & Jones, ; Wilson, ). For the phillipsastreids, this is in line with the high frequency of horseshoe dissepiments, reflecting increased ability of the corals to effectively reject the sediment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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At the southern limits of the Devonian reef zone: Palaeoecology of the Aferdou el Mrakib reef (Givetian, eastern Anti‐Atlas, Morocco)

et al. 2018

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Devonian reefs of north-western Gondwana represent the southernmost record of shallow-water coral reefs in the Palaeozoic. However, few studies have attempted to date palaeoecological reconstructions of these high-latitude reefal buildups. This study provides the first detailed palaeoecological analysis of Aferdou el Mrakib, an isolated, Givetian coral-stromatoporoid reef, which developed in a semirestricted basin in the south-eastern part of the Rheic Ocean. The study documents spatial facies variability and succession of faunal replacements accompanying progressive reef accretion towards the sea surface. The investigations included both autochthonous communities found at the base of the reef and, partially, within the reef core, and allochthonous deposits of reef-derived skeletal debris that accumulated in the fore-reef setting. Contrary to some previous suggestions, the study shows that the Aferdou reef shared many characteristics of classical Middle Devonian coral-stromatoporoid buildups, including the ecological succession, limited role of calcareous algae, and development within the range of the euphotic zone, but likely below the zone of regular water agitation. Critical factors in the facies development and temporal changes in the character of reef building were the palaeobathymetry, dominant sedimentary and circulation regimes, level of wave energy, and, possibly, light availability. Distinctive features of the palaeoecology of Aferdou el Mrakib are the dominance of massive colonies of heliolitid tabulates and a subordinate role of massive stromatoporoids, both explained here primarily as a result of increased water turbidity in the high-latitude sedimentary basin.The growth of the high-latitude coral-stromatoporoid reefs in the south-eastern Rheic Ocean was favoured by a combination of the exceptionally warm climate and plate tectonic configuration typifying the Devonian. Of critical importance appears the palaeogeographic position of the Rheic, which resulted in the seawater circulation in the ocean being dominated by tropical water masses, with restricted inflow of cold water from the circumpolar oceanic circulation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

At the southern limits of the Devonian reef zone: Palaeoecology of the Aferdou el Mrakib reef (Givetian, eastern Anti‐Atlas, Morocco)

et al. 2018

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“…However, heliolitids and other massive tabulates could thrive in soft bottom conditions (Gibson & Broadhead 1989; Young & Scrutton 1991; Seilacher & Thomas 2012; Król et al . 2016, 2018a). Secondly, the patch reefs were developed on the palaeohighs resulting from the Tienne Sainte?Anne Mbr (Jemelle Formation), and tabulate and rugose corals often settled on such underwater elevations (Berkowski 2008; Król et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heliolitid corals and their competitors: a case study from the Wellin patch reefs, Middle Devonian, Belgium

Król

Denayer

Wolniewicz

et al. 2021

LET

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Wellin patch reefs are small Upper Eifelian build?ups within the fine?grained argillaceous limestone of the Hanonet Formation. Whereas the reefs themselves are not well exposed, their fossil assemblage is accessible in the hills near the town of Wellin, approximately 40\xA0km SE of Dinant in Belgium. It is especially rich in massive stromatoporoids, heliolitids and other tabulate corals. They exhibit predominantly domical and bulbous morphologies. This paper focuses primarily on the palaeoautoecology of the heliolitid corals and their relationships with other organisms. Cases of mutual overgrowth between heliolitids, other corals and stromatoporids suggest a high degree of competition for space on the reefs, possibly related to the scarcity of hard substrates. Coral and stromatoporoid growth forms, as well as the prevalence of micritic matrix, point to a relatively low energy environment. However, abundant growth interruption surfaces, sediment intercalations and rejuvenations of corals suggest episodically increased hydrodynamic regime and sediment supply. It is inferred that the patch reefs developed in a relatively shallow environment, where the reefal assemblage was regularly affected by storms. Heliolitids exhibited high sediment tolerance and relied on passive sediment removal for survival. They also could regenerate effectively and commonly overgrew their epibionts, after the colony’s growth was hampered by the sediment. This is recorded in extremely abundant growth interruption surfaces, which allow the analysis of the impact of sediment influxes on the heliolitid corals.

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“…These cover deposits are highly fossiliferous, especially close to the mounds. The fauna is very rich and diverse, containing mainly tabulate and rugose corals (Potthast & Oekentorp, 1987;Plusquellec et al, 2004;Berkowski, 2008;Król et al, 2016), molluscs, crinoid ossicles (Berkowski & Klug, 2012), brachiopods, phacopid trilobites (Klug et al, 2014) and placoderms. The last-named are discussed in the present paper.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ornamentation of dermal bones of Placodermi from the Lower Devonian of Morocco as a measure of biodiversity

Antczak

Berkowski

2017

Geologos

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Dermal bones are formed early during growth and thus constitute an important tool in studies of ontogenetic and evolutionary changes amongst early vertebrates. Ornamentation of dermal bones of terrestrial vertebrates is often used as a taxonomic tool, for instance in Aetosauria, extant lungfishes (Dipnoi) and ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii), for which it have been proved to be of use in differentiating specimens to species level. However, it has not been utilised to the same extent in placoderms. Several features of the ornamentation of Early Devonian placoderms from Hamar Laghdad (Morocco) were examined using both optical and scanning electron microscopy to determine whether it is possible to distinguish armoured Palaeozoic fishes. Four distinct morphotypes, based on ornamentation of dermal bones, are differentiated. These distinct types of ornamentation may be the result of either different location of dermal plates on the body or of ontogenetic (intraspecific) and/or interspecific variation.

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Growth strategies of the tabulate coral Favosites bohemicus on unstable, soft substrates: An example from the Hamar Laghdad (Lower Devonian, Anti-Atlas, Morocco)

Cited by 10 publications

References 29 publications

At the southern limits of the Devonian reef zone: Palaeoecology of the Aferdou el Mrakib reef (Givetian, eastern Anti‐Atlas, Morocco)

At the southern limits of the Devonian reef zone: Palaeoecology of the Aferdou el Mrakib reef (Givetian, eastern Anti‐Atlas, Morocco)

Heliolitid corals and their competitors: a case study from the Wellin patch reefs, Middle Devonian, Belgium

Ornamentation of dermal bones of Placodermi from the Lower Devonian of Morocco as a measure of biodiversity

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