Platy corals from the Middle Triassic of Upper Silesia, Poland: Implications for photosymbiosis in the first scleractinians

Abstract

Coral patch reefs from Middle Triassic (upper Pelsonian–lower Illyrian) strata in the Upper Silesia region of southern Poland (Germanic domain of the Peri-Tethys) are rare examples of the first scleractinian buildups. The shallowing-upward succession in the Tarnów Opolski quarry records a transition from sponge to coral patch reefs interbedded with bioclastic limestones. Coral pillarstones built by thin, branching Volzeia szulci are succeeded by platy Pamiroseris silesiaca constructing two platestone layers, each up to 50cm thick. Serial sections through platestones revealed flat to undulose growth form of P. silesiaca. The maximum observable dimension of the coral plates is 24cm wide (typically up to 12cm), while thickness of most plates is 1–1.5cm. Coral plates are interlayered with crinoidal wacke- to packstone and microbialites, which are locally important component of the platestone. Platy corals grew in a shallow, turbid-water environment with changing, but dominantly moderate hydrodynamics. Net sedimentation was low, as indicated by the epibionts encrusted to the undersides of the coral plates, and locally common microbial fabrics. Growth-interruptions of P. silesiaca record events of storm-induced sediment input and resuspension of carbonate mud. Based on the euphotic floor model, the flattened morphology of P. silesiaca is interpreted as an optimal growth form in a turbid, low-light environment. Platy scleractinian assemblages from Silesia are the oldest occurrences of this ecological coral group (mostly representing deeper, mesophotic habitats) and support the hypothesis that some of the earliest scleractinians had photosymbionts like modern zooxanthellae.