Phillipsastreid Corals from the Frasnian (Upper Devonian) of Western Canada Taxonomy and Biostratigraphic Significance

The Phillipsastreidae are a diverse & abundant family of rugose corals in the Upper Devonian of western Canada. These species occur in a variety of lithofacies, particularly in carbonate shelf margin & downslope facies, and may be significant frame builders in patch reefs & pinnacle reefs. This publication provides detailed taxonomic descriptions of the five solitary and nine branching species found in the Frasnian of Alberta, northern British Columbia, & south-west Northwest Territories. Biostratigraphic distribution of the species is reviewed, together with that of previously described Canadian massive phillipsastreid species belonging to five genera. The coral biostratigraphy is expressed in terms of the Montagne Noire conodont zonation and modified western Canada rugose coral faunal assemblages.