Heliophyllum is an extinct genus of corals that existed predominantly in the Devonian. Heliophyllum is of the order Rugosa and can be referred to as horn corals.[1] The genus had a wide distribution. Fossils of H. halli have been found in the fossil rich Floresta Formation of the Altiplano Cundiboyacense, Colombia.[2] This genus used its nematocysts to stun prey.

Heliophyllum
Temporal range: Mid Devonian
~392–376 Ma
H. halli; Centerfield Limestone Member (Middle Devonian), Bethany Center, New York
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Hexacorallia
Subclass: Rugosa
Family: Zaphrentidae
Genus: Heliophyllum
Hall 1846
Species
  • H. canadense
  • H. damesianum
  • H. dianthus
  • H. halli
  • H. truncatum

References edit

  1. ^ Heliophyllum at Fossilworks.org
  2. ^ Giroud López, 2014, p.39

Bibliography edit