A GUIDE FOR FACILITATING THE IDENTIFICATION AND STUDY OF THE DEVONIAN CORALS OF NEW YORK STATE

Over 175 years of research has generated a wealth of data concerning the Devonian corals of New York state however the usefulness of this data for specimen identifications, as well as taxonomic and paleoecologic studies is hampered by its publication in a multiplicity of journals and books spanning many years. The existing data is, to a degree, further compromised by its age. A significant portion of the data was generated before the advent of modern taxonomic principles such as population-based species definitions and in-depth species descriptions. To facilitate access to the existing information a database has been created which aggregates all taxonomic and biostratigraphic data for the Devonian coral taxa in New York state into a single source. The incorporated data for each taxa includes type species, type specimens, diagnostic features, biostratigraphic occurrences and a comprehensive list of references. The completed database has allowed for the creation of a guide for the Devonian coral faunas in New York state that will facilitate improved identification of specimens in ongoing paleoecologic and biostratigraphic studies. The guide will also provide a baseline for future taxonomic studies aimed at the validation and improved definition for existing species as well as, when warranted, the delineation of new taxa.