Genesis and composition of the Pleistocene Coralligène de plateau of the Cutro Terrace (Calabria, southern Italy)

Some mid-Pleistocene carbonate build-ups from the marine terrace of Cutro show the uncommon, biologically-induced change of substrate that is implied in the definition of coralligène de plateau: from coarse, biogenic sediment to the solid framework. The build-ups grew over a basal rhodolithic layer mostly composed of Sporolithon ptychoides which was stabilized and transformed into a hard substrate by the binding activity and overgrowth of non-geniculate Corallinales (calcareous red algae). The build-ups are dominated by Titanoderma pustulatum, whose role in biogenic construction was previously underestimated, in association with Mesophyllum spp. and locally with Lithophyllum stictaeforme. Intergenicula of Amphiroa cryptarthrodia are common.