Die Korallenfauna des Korallenooliths (Oxfordium, Oberjura, NW-Deutschland): Zusammensetzung, Stratigraphie und regionale Verbreitung

The stratigraphie and regional distribution of Oxfordian scleractinian reef corals in the Korallenoolith Formation (NW German Malm Group) is described from the Süntel, Deister, Kleiner Deisler and Osterwald Mountains. In the study area four horizons with (par-) autochthonous corals are developed two of which can be traced region-wide (Untere Korallenbank Member andflorigemma-Bank Member / Obere Korallenbank Member). The coral fauna of the biostromes, forming the Untere Korallenbank Member, is impoverished and dominated by ubiquitous r-strategists. In contrast, the reefal bioconstruetions of theflorigemma-Bank Member show a high variability in their regional appearances, partly forming highly diverse coral associations. The highest diversity is developed in the patch reefs from the Obere Korallenbank Member of the Osterwald Mountains (about 40 species). Corals are an important part of the Korallenoolith fauna. Altogether, 20 species belonging to 15 genera have been identified which were formerly unknown from NW German Oxfordian successions.