Brachiopod (Lepidocyclus perlamellosus)

Item Description

A classic brachiopod fossil (Lepidocyclus perlamellosus) from the Liberty Formation. The piece dates to the Ordovician Age (approximately 445 million years old). Wikipedia states that "Brachiopods, phylum Brachiopoda, are marine animals that have hard "valves" on the upper and lower surfaces, unlike the left and right arrangement in bivalve molluscs". Brachiopod valves are hinged at the rear end, while the front can be opened for feeding or closed for protection. This piece features a pair of well-defined and well-preserved brachiopods measuring up to 1.8 cm across on matrix. Good quality and aesthetic to be sure. Just look at the detail of the brachiopods in the close up photos, you can see VERY defined wavy growth lines on the exterior.