Ontogeny of ‘epithecal’ and septal structures in scleractinian corals

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Abstract
The ontogenetic development of a solitary scleractinian coral, F. distinctum Edwards et Haime, was studied in the serial thin section with special attention being given to epithecal nature in relation to septal growth. The term epitheca has been confusingly used for 2 different skeletal structures: epitheca and marginotheca. The latter is newly proposed. Epitheca is defined as a calcareous investment developed on the outside of other skeletal structures of a corallite. It can be distinguished from the marginotheca in section by lacking a dark line (calcification center) and by being unrelated to the formation of septa. Marginotheca defines the outer margin of the main skeletal structures of a corallite. It has a dark line which functionally coincides with that of the eutheca. It is of primary origin preceding formation of septa and provides the origin of the septa. The marginotheca is 1 of the more important and fundamental skeletal structures for coral classification.

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