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

Location: Valongo Formation, Arouca, Portugal

Weight: 1 Pound 7.1 Ounces 

Dimensions: 4.1 Inches Long, 3.5 Inches wide, 1.4 Inches Thick (Matrix)

Dimensions: 1.7 Inches Long, 1.4 Inches wide

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Middle Ordovician Age, 470 Million Years Old.

Paralenorthis sp.

Phylum: Brachiopoda
Class: Rhynchonellata
Environment: Marine (shallow seas)
Geological Age: Paleozoic
Locality: Portugal (Lusitanian Basin)

Description:
Paralenorthis sp. represents an unidentified species within the brachiopod genus Paralenorthis. Members of this genus are marine invertebrates characterized by bivalve-like shells arranged dorsally and ventrally. The phylum Brachiopoda is notable for its extensive fossil record, which dates back to the Cambrian period.

Geological and Paleoenvironmental Context:
In Portugal, fossils of Paralenorthis sp. are associated with Paleozoic sedimentary formations, particularly within the Lusitanian Basin. These deposits indicate shallow marine environments with suitable substrates for attachment, reflecting periods of stable sea levels and favorable climatic conditions.

Morphology:

• Two generally symmetrical valves

• Shell shape ranges from rounded to oval

• Surface may display fine ribbing or ornamentation useful for identification

Biology:
Internally, Paralenorthis possessed a lophophore, a specialized feeding organ used for filter feeding on plankton and suspended organic matter. This adaptation allowed the organism to thrive in nutrient-rich marine ecosystems.

Significance:
Fossils of Paralenorthis sp. provide valuable information on Paleozoic marine life, brachiopod evolution, and the geological history of Portugal.