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

Description
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Location: Valongo Formation, Arouca, Portugal

Weight: 1 Pound 2.8 Ounces

Dimensions: 5 Inches Long, 4.2 Inches wide, 0.7 Inches Thick (Matrix)

Dimensions: 2.6 Inches Long, 1.5 Inches wide

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Middle Ordovician Age, 470 Million Years Old.

Paralenorthis sp. – Fossil Brachiopod

Group: Brachiopoda
Class: Rhynchonellata
Taxonomic Status: sp. indicates an unidentified species within the genus
Age: Paleozoic Era
Locality: Portugal, including the Lusitanian Basin

Taxonomy & Classification

Paralenorthis sp. belongs to the phylum Brachiopoda, a lineage of marine invertebrates with a fossil record extending back to the Cambrian period. Members of the class Rhynchonellata are recognized by their dorsal–ventral shell arrangement, unlike the lateral shells of mollusks.

Habitat & Distribution

Fossils from Portugal are linked to Paleozoic sedimentary formations, representing shallow marine environments with stable substrates suitable for attachment. These settings reflect intervals of favorable marine climate and sea conditions.

Shell Morphology

Two symmetrical valves
Shape ranges from rounded to oval
Shell surfaces may show fine ribbing or ornamentation for identification

Feeding & Lifestyle

Equipped with a lophophore, Paralenorthis filter-fed on plankton and suspended organic matter, allowing it to thrive in nutrient-rich ancient seas.

Paleontological Importance

Specimens of Paralenorthis sp. help reconstruct Paleozoic marine ecosystems, sea-level changes, and the geological history of Portugal.