pseudocolumellan.
/ˌs(j)uːdəʊˌkɒljʊˈmɛlə/, U.S. /ˈˌsudoʊˌkɑljuˈmɛlə/ Chiefly Palaeontology.
A structure in a coral polyp resembling a columella, formed by the inner edges of vertical septa twisting together.
ΚΠ
1864 F. B. Meek in J. D. Whitney Palæontol. (Geol. Surv. Calif.) I. i. 9 A vertical section shows its outer vesicular area to be comparatively thin, and composed of very small vesicles, the middle zone between this and the pseudo-columella of coarser, transverse vesicles.
1888 Q. Jrnl. Geol. Soc. 44 210 The more prominent septa extend to the centre of the corallite, and then either unite..or curve round each other..forming a structure to which the name of pseudocolumella has been given.
1950 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) B. 234 189 Axial structures of Rugosa may be subdivided into..(1) the pseudocolumella, resulting from a twisting of the axial septal ends; (2) the columella..; and (3) the axial column.
1990 Jrnl. Paleontol. 64 55/1 Septa long, spinose,..may form pseudocolumella with tabulae.
Derivatives
ˌpseudoˌcoluˈmellar adj. rare.
ΚΠ
1890 Cent. Dict. Pseudocolumellar, pertaining to a pseudocolumella.
1943 Jrnl. Paleontol. 17 135/1 This species differs from Bothrophyllum longiseptum..in having a more pronounced pseudocolumellar structure.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1864