Cancellothyrididae
Cancellothyrididae is a family of extinct brachiopods, a group of marine, filter-feeding animals with a hinged shell. They were a diverse group that thrived during the Ordovician period, about 485 to 443 million years ago. Cancellothyrididae were known for their distinctive shell structure, featuring a unique internal network of radial plates and a complex system of pores. These features likely played a role in their filter-feeding mechanisms and allowed them to inhabit a range of marine environments.
Common Names
Cancellothyrididae do not have any common names. They are primarily known by their scientific name.
Characteristics
Members of the Cancellothyrididae family exhibit a number of shared characteristics:
- Shell structure: The most defining feature is their unique shell structure. Their shells are composed of a complex network of radial plates called "cancelli" that extend from the hinge line to the ventral margin. These cancelli create a series of interconnected chambers and pores within the shell.
- Shell morphology: Cancellothyridid shells are typically biconvex, meaning both valves (upper and lower shell) are curved. The valves are often ornamented with ribs or folds.
- Internal structure: The interior of the shell contains a complex system of pores and canals that connected the chambers formed by the cancelli. This system likely played a role in filter-feeding and respiration.
- Size: Cancellothyrididae ranged in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters.
Environments
Cancellothyrididae were found in a variety of marine environments, including:
- Shallow water: Many species lived in shallow, coastal waters.
- Deep water: Some species were found in deeper, offshore environments.
- Different substrates: They inhabited a range of substrates, including sand, mud, and rocky bottoms.
References
For further information on Cancellothyrididae, you can refer to the following reliable sources: