Wednesday, July 20, 2011

More Brachiopod lophophore supports

My last trip up to NY yielded some new examples of the brachidium (support structures) for the lophopores (feeding tentacles) in various Brachiopods.

This is half of a Mucrospirifer that was found in the Kashong Shale. You can see the curved, vertical lines that represent the brachidium.



This specimen of Nucelospira, from the Kashong Shale, shows the dual nature of the brachidium better.

This specimen is fairly eroded and gives you a look at how the brachidium were shaped in a narrowing sprial.


I found this Atrypa specimen in the Centerfield member of the Ludlowville formation. only part of the brachidium is showing and I may expose more later.



I've found brachidiums before in Athyris from the Mahantango formation.

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