Systematic and Paleoecology of species Pseudozaphrentoides winsnesi (Solitary Rugose coral) from Gzhelian (Late Carboniferous) in Tabas block, Eastern Iran

The Anarak Group with Zaladu (Gzhelian-Asselian age) and Tigh-e-Madanu (Sakmarian age) formations in the Ozbak Kuh Mountains (Central Iran) is more than 180 m thick and includes thick units of conglomerate, shale, sandstone, calcareous sandstone, sandy limestone, fusulinid limistone, marl and dolomite layers. In the sequence of Zaladu formation, the accumulation of coral species of Pseudozaphrentoides winsnesi Flügel, 1995, was abundantly identified in two horizons in the upper part of the Ghezelin layers. Based on fuanal composition, diversity and abundance, spacing of corallits and microfacies, the mentioned accumulation is categorized as low-level (of Type A, ecological zone of A2). This zone represents a tough ecological condition where only a limited number of solitary corals could have survived the life-threatening factors. Based on microfacies studies, the coral community was identified to be restricted to the shoal and around it (lagoon toward shoal and open sea toward shoal) in a shallow platform.