Mucrospirifer (Redirected from Mucrospirifer mucronatus)

Mucrospirifer
Temporal range: Devonian
Mucrospirifer mucronatus Silica Shale.JPG
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
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Family:
Mucrospiriferidae
Genus:
Mucrospirifer

Grabau, 1931
Species

See text.

Mucrospirifer is a genus of extinct brachiopods in the class Rhynchonellata (Articulata) and the order Spiriferida. They are sometimes known as "butterfly shells". Like other brachiopods, they were filter feeders. These fossils occur mainly in Middle Devonian strata.

The biconvex shell was typically 2.5 cm long, 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. This gives them a fin- or wing-like appearance. The apex area (umbo) of the pedicle valve contains a small fold for the pedicle. 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.

Select species

References

  • Walker, Cyril and Ward, David. Fossils. Smithsonian Handbooks, Dorling Kindersley Limited, London. Printed in Singapore (2002).
  • Color reconstruction of Mucrospirifer arkonensis at www.emilydamstra.com

This page was last updated at 2019-11-16 02:53 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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