The converging results of microstructural analysis and molecular phylogeny: Consequence for the overall evolutionary scheme of post-Paleozoic corals and the concept of Scleractinia

The present concept of Scleractinia has to be re-examined because it cannot include neither Pachythecalids, probably related to the Late Permian Polycoelids, nor some other post-Paleozoic corals, including extant Guyniidae, with long recognized specific structural patterns.