Bonehunter Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 So, I find a large number of these large shells along creeks and gravel bars in Kansas City. Interestingly, most are single shells not attached to rock substrates. Any explanation as to why? My neophyte guess on this one is Pennsylvanian brachiopod Echinaria?.... Thanks again for all your expertise! Stay healthy! Bone 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 @Tidgy's Dad @Shamalama 1 Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 Yes, I'm fairly sure that's Echinaria. Most articulate brachiopods don't cement to substrates but are anchored by a pedicle, however, the productids, to which Echinaria belongs, lived mostly in soft sediments and stabilized themselves with spines. What you keep seeing are the pedicle valves and the reason you can't see the other valve is that it is concave and hidden under the matrix. Have a dig with a pin and you should be able to reveal it. Like this one posted by @Missourian 4 Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonehunter Posted April 3, 2020 Author Share Posted April 3, 2020 Ahhhhh- perfect!!! yes- i have some with the bottom valve concave exactly as you describe!... makes perfect sense they used spines to help stabilize themselves in soft sediment- likely also rudimentary antenna as well? Bone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tidgy's Dad Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 The spines may also have had defensive and sensory functions, but as they were generally hollow and a brachiopod's nervous system is pretty basic, probably not very complicated. Life's Good! Tortoise Friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonehunter Posted April 3, 2020 Author Share Posted April 3, 2020 yeah-makes sense......I was thinking along the lines of rudimentary evolutionary sensor-like the old cadillacs with the springs on the tire to sense curbs, the ossicles in fish heads to "hear" etc. Touch a snail and it recoils; touch a hermit crab shell and it collapses in. A lot of evolutionary energy goes into making spines, so I find it reasonable they may have an added, though rudimentary sensing ability...........thanks for the insight! Bone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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