Description
This is a very fine collection of Brachiopods from Germany.
Fossils such as these are found in great abundance around the world.
This is a natural grouping, a Fossil Brachiopod Cluster. These are Jurassic in age and were found in Germany. They are STIPHROTHYRIS tumida species.
The original Fossil brachiopod Cluster was broken during preparation but the final cluster was glued back together for this wonderful presentation. Brachiopods are often called “Sea Shell” and are quite commonly found in marine deposits. This cluster contains 7 of these shells. It would make a great desk topper but would look best in a collection display case.
Brachiopods are animals that have 2 hard shells called valves. They have one on the upper and lower surfaces. They are not clams because clams have the shells in a left and right arrangement. Brachiopod valves are hinged at the rear end, while the front can be opened for feeding or closed for protection. But these animals sometimes also have a muscular foot that can be extended from an opening in the rear of the shell. Because of this ” foot” they can anchor themselves to the sea floor and bury themselves in sand. There are two major categories are traditionally recognized. They are the articulate, that have 2 shell halves that open and close and the inarticulate.
