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

Location: Valongo Formation, Arouca, Portugal

Weight: 12.9 Ounces 

Dimensions: 4.4 Inches Long, 3.9 Inches wide, 0.6 Inches Thick (Matrix)

Dimensions: 1.9 Inches Long, 1.6 Inches wide

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Middle Ordovician Age, 470 Million Years Old.

Paralenorthis sp is a genus of brachiopods belonging to the class Rhynchonellata, which are characterized by their bivalve-like shells and are primarily found in marine environments. The classification of Paralenorthis places it within the phylum Brachiopoda, which is known for its diverse fossil record dating back to the Cambrian period. The specific species referred to as Paralenorthis sp. indicates that it is an unidentified or unspecified species within this genus.

The distribution of Paralenorthis sp. in Portugal is closely associated with Paleozoic geological formations, which have produced numerous brachiopod fossils. These organisms typically inhabited shallow marine environments, often attaching to sedimentary rock substrates such as limestone or shale that provided stable surfaces for growth.

Significant fossil beds, including those in the Lusitanian Basin, have yielded a wide variety of marine fossils, reflecting the region’s complex geological history. The presence of Paralenorthis sp. suggests that these brachiopods thrived during periods of favorable climate and nutrient-rich seas.

Members of the genus Paralenorthis display typical rhynchonellid features, including two generally symmetrical valves that range from rounded to oval. Shell surfaces often exhibit fine ribbing or ornamentation, which are essential for species identification and classification.

The internal structure includes a lophophore—a feeding organ unique to brachiopods—allowing them to filter feed on plankton and organic particles suspended in water. This adaptation is crucial for their survival in nutrient-rich marine environments.