3 MAIN TYPES of fossilized coral:
Rugose - Dominant by the middle of the Silurian Period, and extinct early in the Triassic. Solitary and colonial forms.
Tabulate - Widespread during the Ordovician and Silurian Periods, and extinct at the end of the Permian Period. Exclusively colonial forms. Contains horizontal internal partitions (tabulae).
Scleractinian - Appear in the Triassic Period and common in the Jurassic and later periods. Secrete skeletons of aragonite (calcium carbonate).
Rugose - Dominant by the middle of the Silurian Period, and extinct early in the Triassic. Solitary and colonial forms.
Tabulate - Widespread during the Ordovician and Silurian Periods, and extinct at the end of the Permian Period. Exclusively colonial forms. Contains horizontal internal partitions (tabulae).
Scleractinian - Appear in the Triassic Period and common in the Jurassic and later periods. Secrete skeletons of aragonite (calcium carbonate).
Solitary Rugose Coral - Carboniferous - Indiana
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Colonial Rugose Coral
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Colonial Rugose Coral - picture showing close up of individual corallites
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