Brachiopods

Brachiopods

Brachiopods are the most commonly encountered fossils in Devonian rocks in New York and many different species can be found at single collecting locations. Brachiopods are still alive today, but are much less common than they were during the Paleozoic Era. The shells of brachiopods consist of two valves or shells, just like a bivalve, the group of mollusks that includes clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops. Even though brachiopods filter their food from the water like a bivalve and have shells with two valves, they are not at all closely related and their insides are completely different.

Examples of Devonian brachiopods from New York

Fossil brachiopod Megakozlowskiella perlamellosa from the Devonian New Scotland Limestone of Albany County, New York (PRI 50329). Longest dimension of specimen is approximately 3 cm. Model by Neil Pezzoni.

Fossil brachiopod Rhipidomella penelope from the Devonian Ludlowville Formation of Wanakah, New York (PRI 44061). Longest dimension of specimen is approximately 3.7 cm. Model by Neil Pezzoni.

Fossil brachiopod Spinocyrtia granulosa from the Devonian Ludlowville Formation of Wanakah, New York (PRI 44051). Note that underside of specimen is covered with coralites of the encrusting tabulate coral Aulopora. Longest dimension of specimen is approximately 6.4 cm. Model by Neil Pezzoni.

Fossil specimen of the brachiopod Tullypothyridina venustula from the Devonian Tully Limestone of New York State (PRI 70762). Longest dimension of specimen is approximately 2.5 cm. Model by Emily Hauf.

Fossil specimen of the brachiopod Mediospirifer audaculus from the Middle Devonian Moscow Formation of Livingston County, New York (PRI 70767). Longest dimension of specimen is approximately 5 cm. Model by Emily Hauf.

Fossil specimen of the brachiopod Spinatrypa spinosa from the Devonian Hamilton Group of Erie County, New York (PRI 70769). Diameter of specimen is approximately 4 cm. Model by Emily Hauf.

Fossil brachiopod specimen of Leptaena rhomboidalis from the Upper Devonian of New York (PRI 76916). Longest dimention of specimen is approximately 3.5 cm. Model by Jaleigh Pier.

Fossil specimen of the brachiopod Athyris spiriferoides from the Devonian Ludlowville Formation of Erie County, New York (PRI 44050). Model by Emily Hauf.

Dr. Carlton Brett (University of Cincinnati) discusses Devonian brachiopod fossils from New York.

Dave Fass