Brachiopods

Information

Brachiopods live in exclusively marine environments, filter feeding using a lophophore. Brachiopods are often preserved with the two valves closed... Read more

Taxonomy

• Phylum: Brachiopoda

Diagnostic features

These are the features that will help you to identify fossils as brachiopods, and that you should be attempting to label on a sketch (if they are preserved!).

• Two valves (brachial and pedicle)
• Bilateral symmetry
• Growth lines
• Ligament scar
• Commissure
• Gape
• Pedicle

Stratigraphic range

Cambrian to present