CMNH 14182, Brachiopoda in a lithified mud ball3D Model
CMNH 14182, Brachiopoda in a lithified mud ball
Age: Late Devonian (Famennian) Rock unit: Chagrin Member of the Ohio Shale Formation
Locality: Brecksville, Cuyahoga Co., OH
Collector: J. Alex Janevski, Ben Kaspar, and Joe Doxey Date collected: June 28, 2002
Brachiopods are extant marine shell-bearing organisms with two concave shell halves that clamp together. They form a brachial and pedicle valve, the latter being attached to a stalk or pedicle which ties the organism to the seafloor. The head of the brachiopod suspends itself above the seafloor, filter feeding any food which may float near it. Brachiopods are divided into two large classes based on the structures which hold the two valves together. Inarticulata valves are mainly held together by various muscles, while Articulata use a hinging system of teeth and sockets. (Barbara Schwimmer and Michael Sandy 1996, “Phylum Brachiopoda.”)
The ball is approximately 8.7 cm. long.
Image by Jacob Kordeleski, CMNH Dept of Archaeology // Hawken School
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