THE CORALLIOPHILIDAE, GASTROPODA FROM THE OLIGOCENE AND LOWER MIOCENEOF THE AQUITAINE (SOUTHWESTERN FRANCE) - SYSTEMATICS AND DETAILS OF CORAL HOSTS

Six species of Coralliophilidae and three genera (Coralliophila, Lepto conchus and Galeropsis) are recognised from the Oligocene and Lower Mi ocene of Aquitaine: Lower Oligocene (C. renatimagnei), Upper Oligocene (L. costatus, C. burgidalensis and C. sacyi) and Lower Miocene (L. co status, L. duvergieri, C. burgidalensis, C. sacyi and G. lauenayanus). Coralliophila renatimagnei is the oldest member of the Coralliophilida e recorded from the European Cainozoic and also the earliest boring sp ecies of the family, having been found within the Cladocora corals (Fa viidae). The evolution of a Coralliophilidae with a borer life-style i s related to the development of modern coral reefs. The genus Leptocon chus is recorded for the first time from the European Cainozoic. Two s pecies were collected from Thegioastraea corals (Faviidae). Leptoconch us costatus is known from the Upper Oligocene to the Lower Miocene (Lo wer Aquitanian) and gave rise to L. duvergieri (Upper Aquitanian). Bio metric analysis suggests gradual evolutionary change from L. costatus to L. duvergieri. The older Galeropsis species (G. lauenayanus) is red escribed from the Lower Miocene (Aquitanian). This species was found s till attached to its coral host, Pocillopora madreporacea (Pocillopori dae), thereby establishing an ancient association between Galeropsis a nd Pocillopora. Finally, it is shown that Quoyula IREDALE, 1915 is a s ynonym of Galeropsis HUPE, 1860.