The coding of morphological characters of the rugose skeleton as a basis for the subsequent determination of the taxon from suborder to genus inclusive was first proposed in the article by N.Ya, Spassky in 1971. Subsequent experience of application showed the high efficiency of this methodology, significantly reducing the time of training, specialists and the very definition of species.

The present work is the first in the planned cycle of species identifiers of Devonian rugosas belonging to different orders. The identifier is based on a modified key developed by one of the authors in relation to the generic categories of ...

A striking feature of the Devonian period is the widespread occurrence of reefs, most of which are associated with geosynclinal seas. In character and size, the Devonian reefs present a rather motley picture. The largest reefs are located in the marginal parts of geosynclinal troughs.

Optimal conditions for modern colonial six-beam corals of the scleractinids are well studied [Bogdanov, 1963; Carrington, 1964; Ommani, 1963; Ravikovich, 1954]. Their distribution is influenced by depth, temperature, salinity, water movement and oxygen supply, and soil composition. Corals reach their maximum development at depths of 20-40 m.