Argyrotheca cuneata is a species of brachiopod, a type of marine invertebrate. It is a small, bivalve organism with a distinctive shell shape, which is characteristic of the genus Argyrotheca. This species exhibits a unique combination of features that sets it apart from other brachiopods.
Description & Characteristics
Argyrotheca cuneata is characterized by its small size, typically reaching a maximum length of about 10 millimeters. The shell is oval-shaped and compressed, with a distinctive wedge-shaped outline that gives the species its common name. The shell surface is smooth and glossy, and it is often adorned with delicate lines or ridges.
Habitat and Occurrence
Argyrotheca cuneata is a benthic organism, meaning that it lives on the seabed. It is found in a variety of marine habitats, including shallow coastal waters and deeper offshore environments. This species is most commonly encountered in the neritic zone, which extends from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf, and the bathyal zone, which lies deeper on the continental slope. Argyrotheca cuneata is often found attached to rocks, shells, and other hard substrates.
Taxonomy
Argyrotheca cuneata belongs to the Class Rhynchonellata, an order of brachiopods characterized by their distinctive hinged shells. Within this class, Argyrotheca cuneata is placed in the Order Terebratulida, which is further divided into families based on shell morphology and other anatomical features. Argyrotheca cuneata belongs to the Family Megathyrididae, which includes a variety of brachiopods with similar shell shapes and ecological adaptations.
Feeding
Argyrotheca cuneata is a filter feeder, meaning that it extracts food particles from the surrounding water. It uses its lophophore, a crown of ciliated tentacles, to capture microscopic plankton and other organic matter suspended in the water column. The food particles are then transported to the mouth, where they are digested.
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