Dictyonellidae
Dictyonellidae is a family of extinct brachiopods within the order Orthida. They lived from the Late Cambrian to the Early Ordovician periods. Dictyonellidae are characterized by their distinctive shell structure, which is made up of a network of fine, intersecting ridges. These ridges give the shell a characteristic “lattice-like” appearance, hence the family name, which is derived from the Greek words “diktyon” (net) and “ella” (small).
Common Names
There are no common names for Dictyonellidae, as they are an extinct group of organisms known only through fossils.
Characteristics
Dictyonellidae are characterized by the following features:
- Shell structure: The shell is made up of a network of fine, intersecting ridges, giving it a "lattice-like" appearance.
- Shell shape: The shells are typically biconvex, meaning that they are curved both in the dorsal and ventral directions.
- Size: Dictyonellidae are generally small brachiopods, with most species ranging in size from a few millimeters to a few centimeters.
Environments
Dictyonellidae are found in marine sedimentary rocks from the Late Cambrian to the Early Ordovician periods. They lived in a variety of environments, including shallow water, deep water, and even the photic zone. Some species were epifaunal, meaning that they lived attached to the seafloor, while others were infaunal, meaning that they lived buried in the sediment.