Pliensbachian corals from the Western Tethys Author Vasseur, Raphaël Université de Lorraine, CNRS, lab. GeoRessources, UMR 7359, BP 70239, F- 54506 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy cedex (France) raphaelvasseur@wanadoo.fr Author Lathuilière, Bernard Université de Lorraine, CNRS, lab. GeoRessources, UMR 7359, BP 70239, F- 54506 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy cedex (France) bernard.lathuiliere@univ-lorraine.fr text Geodiversitas 2021 2021-11-23 43 22 1187 1291 journal article 10.5252/geodiversitas2021v43a22 1638-9395 5764379 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:6D1643AD-66A5-4678-9397-CE08E610D641 Fungiaphyllia praecursor n. sp. ( Fig. 18 ) urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 65F1F175-9191-46B3-BE67-C3DFFDA08305 TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype CPUN Gu 0905E4-1; paratypes : CPUN Gu 0905E4-2 to 21 (20 samples). STUDIED SAMPLES. — CPUN Gu 0905E4-1, CPUN Gu 0905E4-2 to Gu 0905E4-21 (21 samples). ETYMOLOGY. — The species name refers to the fact that this coral is a pioneer as living in such deep environment. FIG. 16. — Coryphyllia regularis Cuif, 1975 : A , distal view of the specimen CPUN MA0504E6-6; B , distal view of the specimen CPUN AM16182-3; C , distal view of the specimen CPUN MA0904E10; D , lateral peripheral view of the specimen CPUN MA0504E6-6 (detail); E , detail in transverse section of the specimen CPUN MA0504E7-14; F , detail in transverse section of the specimen CPUN MA0504E7-14. Scale bars: A, B, 1 cm; C-F, 5 mm. FIG. 17. — Coryphyllia subregularis Beauvais, 1986 : A , distal and proximal views of the holotype MNHN.F.R11609; B , transverse polished section of the holotype MNHN.F.R11609; C , lateral view of the holotype MNHN.F.R11609; D , transverse thin section of the holotype MNHN.F.R11609. Scale bars: A, B, C, 1 cm; D, 4 mm. TYPE HORIZON. — Upper Pliensbachian (Margaritatus zone). TYPE LOCALITY. — Guigou plateau, Middle Atlas of Morocco , 33°27’32”N , 4°56’38”W . GEOGRAPHIC AND STRATIGRAPHIC RANGES. — Pliensbachian ( Margaritatus zone) of Middle Atlas ( Morocco ). DESCRIPTION Solitary, discoid to subhemispheric corallite. Subcompact, straight or curved costo-septa often contratingent, giving to the septal apparatus a typical branching aspect. Lateral faces with irregular granules sometimes flattened and protruding or looking like small sharp spines. Distal edge with sharp-edged teeth made by the projection of trabeculae. A relatively regular hexameral symmetry can be deciphered, especially with the external part of radial elements. No columella observed. Endotheca made of very rare and thin vesicular dissepiments. Synapticulae present. Wall not observed. Calicular diameter: 10 to 20 mm – Number of septa: 106 to 152 – Septal density: 4 - 6 for 2 mm . SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES F. praecursor n. sp. differs from F. rotunda n.sp. and F.communis by its long first-orders costae that exceed the periphery of the calice, a very rare endotheca and a more distal living environment.