Rugose corals have well-developed septa, tabulae, and dissepiments. Both solitary and colonial forms are common. Solitary Rugosa ("horn corals") are often shaped like a horn. Colonial Rugosa range from isolated corallites connected by lateral tubes to compact honeycomb-like masses.

Rugose corals range from the Ordovician to Permian and were extremely diverse and abundant. They prefer warm, clear, shallow water, and many were important reef builders.
 

• Evolution & the History of Life course home page
• Lab 5: Colonial Invertebrates, part II

Last updated on February 24, 1997-jlc.