Revision of the family Felixaraeidae (Scleractinia; Cretaceous)

The Late Cretaceous coral family Felixaraeidae (suborder Fungiina) is revised on the basis of its type genus and respective type species. The family encompasses solitary and colonial forms with very strong and perforated radial elements with a subregular radial symmetry. Radial elements are composed of large trabeculae expressed in a strongly ornamented upper septal margin and septal lateral face. Synapticulae are present. Together with the name-giving genus Felixaraea Beauvais, 1982, the Tethyan coral genera Brachycaulia Beauvais, 1982, Pseudofavia Oppenheim, 1930, and Thecoseriopsis Alloiteau, 1957, as well as the Western Atlantic genera Filkornia Löser, 2012, Paracycloseris Wells, 1934, and Trechmannaria Wells, 1935, are assigned to the family. The new genus Marcelohelia n. gen. from the Maastrichtian of Mexico is established. It differs from all known member of the family by its phaceloid growth form. All genera are revised on the basis of the types of their respective type species. Possible species of all genera are presented. The palaeobiogeography of the genera is discussed. The family occurs from the Turonian to Maastrichtian or, possible, Danian.