Upper Triassic (Norian-Rhaetian) new thalamid sponges from northern Calabria (southern Italy)

Abstract

Two new “sphinctozoan” sponges, Calabrisiphonella labyrinthica nov. gen., nov. sp. and Calabrispongia globosa nov. gen., nov. sp., are described from reef boulders derived from Triassic dolomites (“Dolomia principale“) of the Argentino valley in Northern Calabria (Southern Italy). Calabrisiphonella is an Amblysiphonella-type sponge characterized by having a complicated canal system (labyrinth-like) within the chamber walls. The structure of Calabrispongia is similar to some Paleozoic or Jurassic Stromatoporoidea“, which are attributed to the sponges. The systemtic position of both sponges, described here, is discussed. The age of the sponge-bearing reefs represented in the boulders is Norian-Rhaetian

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