1.6" Fossil Paralenorthis Sp Brachiopod In Matrix Valongo Formation Arouca Portugal

Location: Valongo Formation, Arouca, Portugal

Weight: 3.8 Ounces 

Dimensions: 3.8 Inches Long, 2.5 Inches wide, 0.5 Inches Thick (Matrix)

Dimensions: 1.6 Inches Long, 0.7 Inches wide

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Middle Ordovician Age, 470 Million Years Old.

Paralenorthis sp. refers to a brachiopod assigned to the genus Paralenorthis within the class Rhynchonellata, a group of marine invertebrates recognized by their paired, vertically oriented shells. The genus belongs to the phylum Brachiopoda, which has one of the longest and most continuous fossil records, extending back to the Cambrian period. The use of sp. indicates that the specimen represents an undetermined species within this genus.

In Portugal, occurrences of Paralenorthis sp. are associated with Paleozoic sedimentary formations known for preserving abundant brachiopod fossils. These animals typically lived in shallow coastal seas, where firm seafloor substrates allowed them to anchor and thrive. Such environments reflect periods of stable marine conditions and favorable climates.

Important fossil localities, including the Lusitanian Basin, have produced diverse marine fossil assemblages, highlighting the region’s complex geological history. Specimens of Paralenorthis display characteristic rhynchonellid shell morphology, with symmetrical valves ranging from rounded to oval and surfaces often marked by fine ribs or ornamentation. Internally, they possessed a lophophore, a specialized feeding structure that enabled filter feeding in nutrient-rich Paleozoic oceans, making these fossils valuable indicators of ancient marine ecosystems.