Corals of the Upper Viséan microbial-sponge-bryozoan-coral bioherm and related strata of Kongul Yayla (Taurides, South Turkey)

The microbial-sponge-bryozoan-coral bioherm of Kongul Yayla in the Central Taurides (South Turkey) contains a rich and diversified fauna. Sponges and rugose corals are of particular interest. The most common taxa are Siphonodendron irregulare, S. pauciradiale, S. cf. intermedium, Lithostrotion araneum, L. decipiens, L. maccoyanum, Axophyllum aff. pseudokirsopianum, Palaeosmilia multiseptata, P. murchisoni, Clisiophyllum aff. keyserlingi, Amygdalophyllum sp., Rotiphyllum cf. densum, Amplexocarinia aff. cravenensis, Soshkineophyllum? sp. and Espielia tauridensis sp. nov. newly described here. The tabulate corals are mostly micheliniids, syringoporids, cladochonids and auloporids. Heterocorals and chaetetids are also present. Siphonodendron pauciradiale and Lithostrotion maccoyanum are the guide taxa for the RC7ß biozone and indicate an late Asbian age for the bioherm. Facies and coral assemblage argue for a South-European affinity of the Kongul Yayla reef and probably for the whole Anatolian terrane