Mucrospirifer

Mucrospirifer is a genus of extinct brachiopods in the class Rhynchonellata (Articulata) and the order Spiriferida. They are sometimes known as "butterfly shells".[2] Like other brachiopods, they were filter feeders. These fossils occur mainly in Middle Devonian strata[2] and appear to occur around the world, except in Australia and Antarctica.[1][3]

Mucrospirifer
Mucrospirfer Mucronatus.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Brachiopoda
Class:
Rhynchonellata
Order:
Spiriferida
Family:
Mucrospiriferidae
Genus:
Mucrospirifer

Grabau, 1931
Type species
Delthyris mucronatus
Conrad, 1841
Species

See text

The biconvex shell was typically 2.5 cm long,[2] but sometimes grew to 4 cm. The shell of Mucrospirifer has a fold, sulcus and costae. It is greatly elongated along the hinge line, which extends outward to form sharp points.[2] This gives them a fin- or wing-like appearance. The apex area (umbo) of the pedicle valve contains a small fold for the pedicle.[2] Mucrospirifer lived in muddy marine sediments, and were attached to the sea floor via the pedicle. The shell sometimes looks like two seashells stuck together.

Species
Mucrospirifer diluvianoides
Mucrospirifer thedfordensis
  • Mucrospirifer albanensis
  • Mucrospirifer arkonensis
  • Mucrospirifer bouchardi
  • Mucrospirifer diluvianoides
  • Mucrospirifer grabaui
  • Mucrospirifer medfordsis
  • Mucrospirifer mucronatus (Conrad, 1841)
  • Mucrospirifer paradoxiformis
  • Mucrospirifer profundus
  • Mucrospirifer prolificus
  • Mucrospirifer refugiensis
  • Mucrospirifer thedfordensis
  • Mucrospirifer williamsi
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References
  1. Paleobiology Database
  2. Walker, Cyril Alexander. (2002). Fossils. Ward, David J., Keates, Colin. (2nd American ed.). New York: Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 0-7894-8984-8. OCLC 50722423.
  3. Global Biodiversity Information Facility
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