Kießling W, Roniewicz E, Villier L, Léonide P, Struck U (2009)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2009
Publisher: Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM)
Book Volume: 24
Pages Range: 657-671
DOI: 10.2110/palo.2009.p09-030r
The oldest known Jurassic coral reef is exposed in the Ardche region of southern France. This reef site, consisting of at least three reefal bodies, is of early Hettangian age and thus immediately postdates the end-Triassic mass extinction, which is well known for its catastrophic effect on reef building. Bulk carbonate carbon isotopes of the limestones below the reef are likely to record environmental perturbations subsequent to the mass extinction. The main reef is surprisingly well developed (20 m in thickness, 200 m in lateral extent) and composed of at least four genera and six species of coralsnot only holdover genera from the Triassic, but also one newly evolved genus (Phacelophyllia), contributed to reef construction. Just like their latest Triassic counterparts, the reef is dominated by phaceloid corals with a considerable contribution of microbialite. The reef predates similarly well developed structures by almost ten million years. The shelf setting of the reef renders it unlikely that refuges around oceanic islands are needed to explain survival of corals across the end-Triassic mass extinction. © 2009 SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology).
APA:
Kießling, W., Roniewicz, E., Villier, L., Léonide, P., & Struck, U. (2009). An early Hettangian coral reef in southern France: Implications for the end-Triassic reef crisis. Palaios, 24, 657-671. https://dx.doi.org/10.2110/palo.2009.p09-030r
MLA:
Kießling, Wolfgang, et al. "An early Hettangian coral reef in southern France: Implications for the end-Triassic reef crisis." Palaios 24 (2009): 657-671.
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