01 Gymnophyllum wardi Neanic Specimen 01.jpg

The next few images will show some of the many growth forms of Gymnophyllum wardi, a solitary rugose button coral. G. wardi is the only known species of the genus. It is locally common in the Middle Pennsylvanian (Westphalian) Wewoka Formation in Okmulgee County Oklahoma. Fossils of the species also occur in the lower part of the Labette Shale in Rogers County Oklahoma.
The tiny corallite in this image displays many characteristics of the early, neanic, stage of growth, including crooked septa and a deep central pit.