Brachiopoda

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

-Brachiopods are bilaterally symmetrical animals that have been marine creaturs through out their history.

-They are filter feeding animals

-Most lived in marine conditions, but some were tolerable of brackish waters

They preferred tropical to sub-tropical climates

-They often lived attached to the sea floor or they were attached to other animals

CLASSIFICATION

-Braciopods are classified into two major groups: Articulate and Inartculate Brachiopods

-The Articulates then can be clasified further into Orders

-Articulate Orders:

1. Order Orthida,
2. Order Strophomenida,
3. Order Pentomerida, Order Rhynchonellida,
4. Order Spiriferida,

5. Order Terebratulida

SPECIMINS

1. This specimin is an Articulate Brachiopod, Order Strophomenida, and possibly a Rafinesquina sp.  This is the pedicle view of       the shell.

2.  This specimin is an Articulate Brachiopod, Order Orthida, and possibly a Herbertella sp.  This is the pedicle view of the shell.

BRACHIOPOD VIEWS