Spirifer verneuilli Fossil Brachiopod Seashell Brachiopoda Invertebrata Paleozoic Devonian Collection

Brachiopod Fossil Sea Shell mm 32-38 gr 6-11 Spirifer verneuilli Sessile Benthic Invertebrates Extinct Prehistoric Articulata Brachiopods Paleozoic Devonian Collecting Paleontology Museum.

Pleasant fossil find of Brachiopoda Rhynconellata Spiriferidae from the late Devonian of China, a representative collectible specimen of good quality and in a fair state of preservation, with clear details of the shape of the triangular shell of the unequal dorsal and ventral valves and the longitudinal striae of the ribs.

Spirifer (Sowerby, 1818) is a genus of extinct Brachiopods, lived between the Upper Ordovician (Katian, about 449 million years ago) and the Middle Triassic (Ladinic, about 232 million years ago); its fossil remains are found all over the world.
These animals had a transversely elongated shell. The external surface presented granulations, striae and ribs of different shapes depending on the species. The striations were crossed by concentric growth lines, which could also appear in the form of lamellae or even spines. The peduncular valve had a prominent umbo, and the apex was of different shapes depending on the species. The articulation occurred via a triangular-shaped tooth.
Spirifer and related forms were generally sessile and benthic animals, fixed by a peduncle on mostly mobile sediments. Spiferidae are very often found in deposits in calm, temperate or warm water environments.
This genus of brachiopods had a worldwide distribution, and was found in many deposits on all continents. Numerous species have been ascribed to it, many of which were then reassigned to other similar genera (including Spirifera, Cyrtospirifer, Neospirifer, Euryspirifer, Paraspirifer); many of these species are exceptional guide fossils, as they have a wide geographic distribution but a very short stratigraphic distribution. Spiferids are part of the large group of brachiopods known as the Articulata.
During the Devonian period, jointed brachiopods underwent an evolutionary radiation. This period represented the greatest diversity for the brachiopod Spirifidae which produced shells with a variety of elongated hinges. At the same time, new groups appeared such as the mostly vagile Strophomenids and the Terebratulids. In contrast, there has been a general decline in Pentamerids and Atrypid brachiopods.

Phylum Brachiopoda
Subphylum Rhynchonelliformea
Class Rhynchonellata
Order † Spiriferida
Suborder † Spiriferidina
Superfamily † Spiriferoidea
Family † Spiriferidae
Subfamily † Spiriferinae
Genus † Spirifer