Ryocarhynchus tumidus brachiopod from Belgium

From the Ardennes region of Belgium comes this Ryocarhynchus tumidus brachiopod fossil. It was found in the Matagne Limestone (Fransian stage, Devonian) near the town of Robechies. The shell is round and wider than it is long. The brachial valve is very convex while the pedicle valve is slightly convex at the umbo and grades down to slightly concave in the sulcus. A single, gently dipping sulcus is present but is most pronounced at the anterior margin.

Brachial valve

Anterior

Pedicle valve

Posterior

Profile

The only other fossil that I have from Belgium is Cyrtospirifer verneuilli.

Cyrtospirifer verneuilli

Large brachiopods are somewhat unusual with the largest fossil example being close to eight inches wide. Compared to Pelecypods, which have species that can grow up to five feet in diameter, they are typically a miniscule fauna. Thus when I come across exceptions to the rule, such as Cyrtospirifer verneuilli, I become fascinated. This species is from the Devonian (Fransian) rocks near Barvaux Sur Ourthe in Belgium. The specimen pictured below is about 3 inches wide along the hinge line.

Pedicle valve

Anterior (front)

Brachial valve

Posterior (rear)

Profile