2.1" Thamnopora SP Coral Fossil Coral Reef Devonian Age Verde Valley, Arizona

Location: Martin Formation, Verde Valley, Arizona, United States

Weight: 1.8 Ounces  

Dimensions: 2.1 Inches Long, 1.5 Inches Wide, 1.4 Inches Thick 

Devonian Age 380 Million Years Old

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Thamnopora SP Fossil Coral

Timeline of Early Coral Evolution

• ~410 million years ago (Devonian Period):
  Corals re-emerged and formed their first extensive reef systems, creating complex habitats for marine life. Early reef builders included:

  • Stromatoporoids – coral-like sponges that provided a solid framework for reefs.

  • Tabulate corals – shaped into mounds, branches, and organ-like structures, contributing to reef complexity.

  • Rugose corals – horn-shaped corals adding vertical structure to reefs.

  • Ancestors of modern coralline algae – colorful, encrusting algae that helped bind reef materials together.

• End of the Devonian Period:
  Scleractinian (“stony”) corals first appeared. These corals produced hard calcium carbonate skeletons and became the foundation of the reefs that dominate modern oceans.

• ~350 million years ago:
  Corals disappeared from the fossil record. While the exact cause remains uncertain, rapid sea-level fluctuations and a sudden drop in atmospheric carbon dioxide likely disrupted reef ecosystems, leading to their decline.