Coral Reefs in Bolivia

As Bolivia does not have a sea coast, only fossilized coral reefs are found in the country. According to Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, the Bolivian Andes were once a seabed. After the creation of the mountains, the enclosed sea became lakes, which over time dried out, leaving behind huge salt flats and fossilized corals.



The Salt Flat of Uyuni, with 4,633 square miles, is located at about 11,811 feet above sea level and is a prime location to observe the fossilized corals in Bolivia. According to Journal of Paleontology, published on JSTOR, fossilized corals are also found in the surroundings of the Lake Titicaca.
  1. Turbinolia Striata

    • As reported in the Journal of Paleontology, Turbinolia striata is amongst the fossil corals found in Bolivia. According to The Paleobiology Database, the coral Turbinolia striata was named by d'Orbigny in 1839, but was later recombined as Lophophyllidium striatum by Wilson in 1990.

      According to Fosilbol website, this species is characterized by a striated surface and the presence of growth rings, responsible for its rough appearance. The fossil is small, not exceeding 1.5 inches in length.

    Stylastraea Branisai

    • According to the Journal of Paleontology, Stylastraea branisai is also part of the Bolivian fossilized coral reef. This species was reassigned as Petalaxis branisai in 1990, according to Jerzy Fedorowski, in the book "Lower Permian Colonial Rugose Corals, Western and Northwestern Pangaea."

      As the other species of coral fossils, Stylastraea branisai is associated with calcareous rocks.

    Durhamina pandolfi

    • Jerzy Fedorowski reported in the book "Lower Permian Colonial Rugose Corals, Western and Northwestern Pangaea" that this species can be solitary or colonial. It can especially be found around the Lake Titicaca.

    Cladochonus and Michelinia

    • According to the Journal of Paleontology, Cladochonus carrascoi and Michelinia escobari are also constituents of the Bolivian fossilized coral reef. However, there is available descriptive data about these species, as reported by The Paleobiology Database.

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