Abisatelliidids

Abisatelliidids are a taxonomic family of extinct marine invertebrates belonging to the order Scleractinia, commonly known as stony corals. These corals lived during the Triassic period, specifically from the Anisian to the Norian stages. They are characterized by their solitary, generally conical or subcylindrical forms, and a distinctive internal skeletal structure.

The skeleton of abisatelliidids is composed of calcium carbonate. A key feature is the presence of a complex septal arrangement within the corallite, which is the cup-like structure that houses the coral polyp. The septa, which are radial partitions, often exhibit a complex folding or branching pattern. Another notable characteristic is the presence of dissepiments, which are horizontal plate-like structures that form within the corallite, contributing to skeletal support.

Fossil evidence of abisatelliidids is primarily found in marine sedimentary rocks of Triassic age. Their distribution appears to have been global, with significant fossil occurrences reported from Europe, Asia, and North America. The study of abisatelliidids provides valuable insights into the early evolution of scleractinian corals and the paleoecology of Triassic marine environments. Their extinction at the end of the Triassic marks the end of this particular lineage within the broader coral evolutionary tree.