Original paper
Upper Triassic corals from Peru
Stanley, George D.
Palaeontographica Abteilung A Band 233 Lieferung 1-6 (1994), p. 75 - 98
70 references
published: Nov 22, 1994
Abstract
Seventeen coral and one spongiomorph taxa are described from the Upper Triassic silicified specimens of the Pucará Group in central Peru. Among these, three new species are distinguished: Stylophyllopsis gracilis n. sp., Pinacophyllum peruvianum n. sp., and Retiophyllia pascoensis n. sp. In situ paleoecological associations of biostromes 1-10 m thick occurring within bedded carbonate rocks of the Chambara Formation, reveal no evidence of reef development. The growth types of the corals and the fine-grained lithofacies of the enclosing rock types suggest shallow-water, low-energy settings on an extensive carbonate ramp. The composition of the fauna reveals some links to Cordilleran terranes of North America. Similarities exist with northeastern Oregon and western Idaho, Nevada, and northern California. Despite a degree of endemism, Tethyan relationships are indicated for 11 of the taxa. Of these, six coral species are restricted to the western Tethys. It is the first occurrence of the Alpine corals, Margarosmilia charlyana (Frech) and Retiophyllia frechi (Roniewicz) in the Americas.
Keywords
Upper Triassic • carbonate rocks • biostromes • taxa • endemism • Pucará Group • Peru