Halysites  louisvillensis

 

The halysitids are a group of extinct, Paleozoic-aged colonial corals.  They are readily identifiable - their corallites are linked end-to-end in a distinctive pattern resembling chains (hence the common name “chain corals”).  Halysitids are one of the several families of Paleozoic tabulate corals.  They were an important reef-building component in the Silurian throughout the world.  They occur in shallow-water marine carbonate facies.

 

Classification: Animalia, Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Tabulata, Halysitidae

 

Halysites louisvillensis (apparent junior synonym of Halysites nitidus) from the Louisville Limestone (upper Middle Silurian to lower Upper Silurian) of Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA.  This colony has been silicified - the original skeleton was composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).  Falls of the Ohio State Park collection, Clarksville, Indiana, USA.

 

 

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