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Brachiopods: Marine Fossils & Living Wonders

Explore the world of brachiopods, unique marine animals similar to clams yet distinct in anatomy. With about 300 living species, they are suspension feeders with a remarkable fossil record. Discover their characteristics, habitat preferences, and evolution in this informative guide.

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Brachiopods: Marine Fossils & Living Wonders

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  1. Brachiopods lampshells

  2. Only marine • 2 groups…articulated and non articulated • Suspension feeders • Live about 3 years • Great fossil record and oldest living hard shell organisms

  3. Brachiopods are marine animals that, upon first glance, look like clams. • They are actually quite different from clams in their anatomy, and they are not closely related to the molluscs.

  4. They are lophophorates, and so are related to the Bryozoa and Phoronida. • Although they seem rare in today's seas, they are actually fairly common. • There are about 300 living species of brachiopods

  5. They like cold deep water which is why they are not seen much. • It has been suggested that the slow decline of the brachiopods over the last 100 million years or so is a direct result of the following:

  6. (1) the rise in diversity of filter feeding bivalves, which have ousted the brachiopods from their former habitats; • ] (2) the increasing disturbance of sediments by roving deposit feeders (including many burrowing bivalves); and/or • (3) the increased intensity and variety of shell-crushing predation.

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