Brachiopods

Brachiopod Photos

Hebertellla occidentalis (Hall) - an Ordovician species
Hebertellla occidentalis (Hall) – an Ordovician species

Brachiopods are a phylum of bivalves unrelated to clams. They date back to the Cambrian Period and live today. Brachiopods have bilateral symmetry – the left and right side of the shells are mirrors. The top and bottom shells are different. (Clams are the opposite.)

Preservation Code: C = Calcified, Ph = Phosphatic, P = Pyritized, S =Silicified, 1= w/o, matrix, 2 = w/ matrix

Featured specimens are found in Indiana, Kentucky & Tennessee (with surrounding states).

Photos appear BELOW the name. Photos lasted updated 3-29-2022

BRACHIOPODS                  Period                  Location*           Preservation

* Where I’ve collected it

Acrospirifer duodenarius (Hall) – Jeffersonville Limestone, Eifelian, Middle Devonian, Clark Co., Indiana – S,1 (single valves)

Acrospirifer duodenarius (Hall) - silicified valves, Jeffersonville Limestone
Acrospirifer duodenarius (Hall) – silicified valves, Jeffersonville Limestone

Alatiformia varicosa (Conrad) – a small spiriferid, Jeffersonville & Speed Limestone, Eifelian, Middle Devonian, Clark Co., Indiana – S,1,2

Ambocoelia sp. – Fairly rare, Coral Ridge Member, New Providence Shale, basal Middle Mississippian, Jefferson Co., KY – P,1

Ambocoelia sp. - Coral Ridge fauna, basal Borden Formation
Ambocoelia sp. – Coral Ridge fauna, basal Borden Formation

Ambocoelia umbonata (Conrad), a very small species common in the Beechwood Limestone, Givetian, Middle Devonian, Nelson & Marion Co., KY – S,2

Anastrophia internascens (Hall) – Waldron Shale, Wenlockian, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana – C,1

Anthracospirifer spinosa (Hall), widespread in the Chesterian, Upper Mississippian, IN, IL, KY – C,1

Athyris densa (Hall) – Salem Limestone, Meramecean, Middle Mississippian, KY – C,1 (Commonly found crushed)

Athyris spiriferoides (Eaton) – Jeffersonville Limestone, Eifelian, Middle Devonian, Clark Co., Indiana – S,1

Athyris fultonensis (Swallow) – super-abundant in the Speed Limestone, Eifelian, Middle Devonian, Clark Co., IN – C,S,1,2

Atrypa” sp. (Pseudoatrypa?) – Birdsong Shale, Emsian, Lower Devonian, Decatur Co., Tennessee – C,1

Brachythyris suborbicularis (Hall) – Osagean, Middle Mississippian, Hardin Co., KY – C,1,2

Brachythyris suborbicularis is a large Mississippian brachiopod
Brachythyris suborbicularis is a large Mississippian brachiopod

Brevispirifer gregarius (Clapp) – Jeffersonville Limestone, Eifelian, Middle Devonian, Clark Co., Indiana & Jefferson Co., Kentucky – S,1,2 (Mostly in single valves)

Brevispirifer gregarius is so abundant there's a B. gregarius zone in the Jeffersonville Limestone.
Brevispirifer gregarius is so abundant there’s a B. gregarius zone in the Jeffersonville Limestone.

Camarotoechia acutiplicata Amsden – Brownsport Group, Wenlockian, Middle Silurian, Decatur Co., TN – C,1

Camarotoechia cedarensis Amsden – Bob Fm., Brownsport Group, Wenlockian, Middle Silurian, Decatur Co., TN – C,1

Camarotoechia cedarensis from west Tennessee's Silurian
Camarotoechia cedarensis from west Tennessee’s Silurian

Camarotoechia transvera  – Birdsong Shale, Emsian, Lower Devonian, Decatur Co., Tennessee – C.1

Chonetes scitulus Hall – Middle Devonian, Ausable River / Hungry Hollow, Ontario, Canada – C,1

Chonetes supergibbosus (2)               Middle Devonian                                Poland                   C1

Chonetes yandellanus Hall – Sellersburg / North Vernon Limestone, Givetian, Middle Devonian, Clark Co., IN – S,C,1,2 (Mass mortality layers)

Cincinnetina multisecta (Meek) (formerly Onneilla), especially in the Kope Formation, Upper Ordovician, KY – C,1,2. Click here for more info (away from this website).

Cleiothyridina hirsuta (Hall) – Salem Limestone, Meramecean, Middle Mississippian, KY – C,1

Cleiothyridina sublamellosa (Hall) found flattened with spines or inflated w/o spines – Chesterian, Upper Mississippian, IN, IL, KY – C,1

Cleiothyridina sublamellosa with spines & Paleoconchus coiled worms.
Cleiothyridina sublamellosa with spines & Paleoconchus coiled worms.

Composita trinuclea (Hall) – a wide-ranging species in the Mississippian, found in IN, IL, KY -C,1, S,2

Composita trinuclea is often silicified from the chert in the St Louis & Ste Genevieve Limestones
Composita trinuclea is often silicified from the chert in the St Louis & Ste Genevieve Limestones

Cupularostrum tethys (Hall) – Sellersburg / North Vernon Limestone, Givetian, Middle Devonian, Clark Co., IN – S,1,2

Cyrtina hamiltonensis (Hall) – Sellersburg / North Vernon Limestone, Givetian, Middle Devonian, Clark Co., IN – C,S,1,2

Devonochonetes coronatus (Conrad) – Sellersburg / North Vernon Limestone, Givetian, Middle Devonian, Clark Co., IN – S,1,

Diaphragmus cestriensis (Worthen) – Upper Mississippian, western KY – C,1,2

Diaphragmus cestriensis is common in Chester-age rocks
Diaphragmus cestriensis is common in Chester-age rocks

Echinoconchus alternatus (Norwood & Pratten) – Middle Mississippian, KY,IN – C,1,2

Echinoconchus alternatus found in Salem Limestone
Echinoconchus alternatus found in Salem Limestone

Echinoconchus biseriatus (Hall) – Salem Limestone, Middle Mississippian, Hardin Co., KY – C,1,2

Eodictyonella reticulata (Hall) – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana – C,1,2 (Small brachiopod with a reticulate texture)

Eodictyonella reticulata - a fascinating small Silurian brachiopod.
Eodictyonella reticulata – a fascinating small Silurian brachiopod.

Eospirifer eudora (Hall) – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana – C,1

Eospirifer radiata (Hall) – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana – C,1

Eospirifer radiata is common and robust in Waldron Shale
Eospirifer radiata is common and robust in Waldron Shale

Eumetria vera (Hall) – Salem Limestone, Middle Mississippian, IN, KY – C,1 (Very small species)

Coolinia subplana (Hall) – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana – C,1,2 (Very flat) Previous known as Fardenia.

Coolinia subplana, the flattest brachiopod In the Waldron Shale
Coolinia subplana, the flattest brachiopod In the Waldron Shale

Gotatrypa muldae (Copper) – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana – C,1 (Most abundant brachiopod)

Hebertella occidentalis (Hall), Upper Ordovician, KY, IN – C,1,2 (Very common, though perfect specimens less so)

Hebertella occidentalis is common Upper Ordovician brachiopod
Hebertella occidentalis is common Upper Ordovician brachiopod

Heterorthina emacerata (Hall) – was Onneilla – Kope Formation, Upper Ordovician, Carroll Co., KY – C,1,2

Hiscobeccus capax (Conrad) – Upper Ordovician, IN, KY – C,1,2 (Used to called Lepidocyclus)

Hiscobeccus capax is common in the Liberty Formation
Hiscobeccus capax is common in the Liberty Formation

Homeospira evax (Hall) – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana – C,1

Inflatia inflatia                                     Upper Mississippian                            KY                          C,1,2

“Invertrypa” spinosa?                          Middle Devonian                                IN                           S,1

Kozlowskiellina octacostata tennessensis Amsden – Birdsong Shale, Early Devonian, Decatur Co., Tennessee – C,1,2

Kozlowskiellina octacostata tennessensis looks shingled. ~2 cm wide
Kozlowskiellina octacostata tennessensis looks shingled. ~2 cm wide

Labriproductus scitulus                    Middle Mississippian                          IN                          S,2

Leptaena acuticuspidata Amsden – Birdsong Shale, Early Devonian, Decatur Co., Tennessee – C,1,2

Leptaena acuticuspidata - a small species with lots of detail.
Leptaena acuticuspidata – a small species with lots of detail.

Leptaena rhomboidalis (Wilckens) – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana  C,1,2        

Leptaena rhomboidalis Early Devonian                               TN                    C,1

Leptaena rhomboidalis                    Middle Devonian                               IN                    C,1,2

Leptaena richmondensis – found in certain Upper Ordovician formations in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio – C,1,2

Leptaena richmondensis is common in the Liberty Formation
Leptaena richmondensis is common in the Liberty Formation

Linoproductus cora (d’Orbigny), Borden Formation, Osagean, Middle Mississippian, IN, KY – C,1,2

Linoproductus cora from the Borden Formation
Linoproductus cora from the Borden Formation

Marginatia(?) crawfordsvillensis Weller – Borden Formation, Middle Mississippian, IN, KY – C,2

Marginatia crawfordsvillensis in the New Providence Shale / Borden delta sediments
Marginatia crawfordsvillensis in the New Providence Shale / Borden delta sediments

Marginata burlingtonensis (Meek & Worthen) – St. Louis Limestone, Middle Mississippian IN, KY – C,1,2

Marginata burlingtonensis is a Salem Limestone species
Marginata burlingtonensis is a Salem Limestone species

Marginirugus magnus (Meek & Worthen) – Harrodsburg Limestone, Middle Mississippian IN – C,1,2 (One of the largest species in the U.S.)

Marginirugus magnus is the largest brachiopod in the central U.S.
Marginirugus magnus is the largest brachiopod in the central U.S.

Mediospirifer audaculus (Conrad) – Sellersburg / North Vernon Limestone, Givetian, Middle Devonian, Clark Co., IN – S,C,1,2 (Spirifer oweni in older texts)

Mediospirifer audaculus has an elongate triangular delthyrium on pedicale valve
Mediospirifer audaculus has an elongate triangular delthyrium on pedicale valve

Mediospirifer? segmentum               Middle Devonian                                IN                           S,1

Megakozlowskiellina perlamellosa (Hall) – Birdsong Shale, Early Devonian, Decatur Co., Tennessee – C,1

Megakozlowskiellina perlamellosa about 1.5 cm wide.
Megakozlowskiellina perlamellosa about 1.5 cm wide.

Megastrophia concava (Conrad) – Jeffersonville Limestone, Middle Devonian, IN, KY – C,S,2

Megastrophia concava is the largest brachiopod in the Jeffersonville Limestone. This one has remnants of an inarticulate brachiopod attached.
Megastrophia concava is the largest brachiopod in the Jeffersonville Limestone. This one has remnants of an inarticulate brachiopod attached.

Megastrophia profunda                     Middle Silurian                                    IN                           C,2

Merista tennessenesis                             ”             ”                                           TN                          C,1

Meristella maria (Hall) – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana – C,1

Mucrospirifer arkonensis (Grabau)                  Middle Devonian                                ONT                       C,1,2

Mucrospirifer thedordensis (Grabau)                  ”             ”                                           ONT, MI               C,1,2

Orbiculoidea keokuk                          Middle Mississippian                          KY                          Ph,2

Orbiculoidea sp. – Glen Dean Formation, Chesterian, Upper Mississippian, Grayson Co., KY, – Ph,1,2 (Usually a small inarticulate brachiopod.)

Orbiculoidea sp. - a tiny specimen from the Glen Dean Formation
Orbiculoidea sp. – a tiny specimen from the Glen Dean Formation

Orthorhynchula linneyi                       Upper Ordovician, Boyle Co., KY – S,C,1

Orthotetes keokuk (Hall), Borden Formation, Osagean, Middle Mississippian, IN, KY – C,2 (A large, common productid brachiopod in the formation.)

Orthotetes keokuk in siltstone
Orthotetes keokuk in siltstone

Ovatia ovatia                                       Upper Mississippian                            KY                          C,1,2

Paraspirifer acuminatus (Conrad) – Jeffersonville Limestone, Eifelian, Middle Devonian, Clark Co., IN -S,1 (Single valves are common, complete rare in the P. acuminatus zone)

Paraspirifer acuminatus with sponge? borings
Paraspirifer acuminatus with sponge? borings
Paraspirifer acuminatus interior
Paraspirifer acuminatus interior

Pentamerella pavilionensis (Hall) – Jeffersonville Limestone, Middle Devonian, IN, KY – C,S,1,2

Pentamerella pavilionensis has a distinctive triangular shape.
Pentamerella pavilionensis has a distinctive triangular shape.

Pentamerus oblongata (Sowerby), Laurel & Louisville Limestones, Wenlockian, Middle Silurian, Jefferson & Nelson Co., KY – S,1,2

Pentamerus oblongata is found in Laurel Dolostone & Louisville Limestone
Pentamerus oblongata is found in Laurel Dolostone & Louisville Limestone

Pentagonia peersi (Cozzens) – Beechwood Limestone, Givetian, Middle Devonian     Clark Co., IN – S,1 (Single shells, the better-known P. unsulcata is Eifelian age.)

Pentagonia peersi - almost resembles a Bellerophon snail shell.
Pentagonia peersi – almost resembles a Bellerophon snail shell.

Perditocardia dubia (Hall) – Salem Limestone, Meramecean, Middle Mississippian, IN, KY – S,C,1,2 (Interior of the shell looks like a little heart.)

Perditocardia dubia is common in the Salem Limestone.
Perditocardia dubia is common in the Salem Limestone.

Petrocrania is a type of inarticulate brachiopod. It’s not that it can’t talk, but rather, the two valves are not articulated with a tooth & socket system like articulate brachiopods.

Petrocrania chesterensis                   Upper Mississippian                      KY,IN     C,2 (on crinoid columns)

Petrocrania hamiltonensis (Hall) – Eifelian & Givetian, Middle Devonian, Clark Co., IN – S,2

Petrocrania hamiltonensis on Megastrophia concava, Jeffersonville Limestone
Petrocrania hamiltonensis on Megastrophia concava, Jeffersonville Limestone

Petrocrania scabiosa (Hall) – Upper Ordovician, IN, KY – C,2

Petrocrania scabiosa is usually not larger than 1 cm. This is the upper valve.
Petrocrania scabiosa is usually not larger than 1 cm. This is the upper valve.

Petrocrania siluriana (Hall) – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana   C,2

Several Petrocrania siluriana on Uncinulus stricklandi from Waldron Shale
Several Petrocrania siluriana on Uncinulus stricklandi from Waldron Shale

Pholidostrophia iowensis (Owen) – Speed Limestone, Eifelian, Middle Devonian, Clark Co., IN – C,2

Possible Pholidostrophia iowensis from the Speed Limestone
Possible Pholidostrophia iowensis from the Speed Limestone

Platystrophia (now called Vinlandostrophia)                                  Upper Ordovician                                KY                          C,1,2

Platystrophia cypha                                ”            ”                                           KY                          C,1,2

Platystrophia ponderosa                        ”             ”                                           KY                          C,1,2

Platystrophyia laticosta                          ”             ”                                           KY                          C,1,2

Productus altonensis Norwood & Pratten – Upper Mississippian, IL, IN, KY = C,1,2

Productus altonensis is named for Alton, Illinois
Productus altonensis is named for Alton, Illinois

Productus marginicinctus – St. Louis Limestone, Middle Mississippian, IN, KY – C,S, 1,2

Productus marginicinctus in chert from Corydon, Indiana
Productus marginicinctus in chert from Corydon, Indiana

Productus teniucostatus – St. Louis Limestone, Middle Mississippian, IN, KY – C,S, 1,2

Productus teniucostatus - an uncommon species  in the Salem & St Louis Limestones
Productus teniucostatus – an uncommon species in the Salem & St Louis Limestones

Protoleptostrophia perplana (Conrad) – Jeffersonville & Speed Limestones, Middle Devonian, Clark Co., IN – C,1,2

Protoleptostrophia perplana is widespread in Devonian, Jeffersonville & Speed Limestones
Protoleptostrophia perplana is widespread in Devonian, Jeffersonville & Speed Limestones

Pseudoatrypa sp. – Jeffersonville & Sellersburg Limestones, Middle Devonian    IN, MI – S,C,1

Pseudoatrypa tennesseneensis (Amsden), Brownsport Group, Middle Silurian, Decatur Co., TN – C,1

Punctospirifer spinosa (Hall), widespread in the Chesterian, Upper Mississippian, IN, IL, KY – C,1

Punctospirifer sp. – Glen Dean Formation, Chesterian, Upper Mississippian, Grayson Co.,      KY – C,1

Punctospirifer sp. about 1 cm wide
Punctospirifer sp. about 1 cm wide

Rafinesquina ponderosa Ulrich – Upper Ordovician, IN, KY – C,1,2 (Ponderosa = ponderous, large)

Rafinesquina ponderosa has convex & concave valves
Rafinesquina ponderosa has convex & concave valves

Resserella elegentula (Hall) – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana – C,1,2

Rhipidomella hybrida Hall – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana – C,1,2

Rhipidomella oweni (Hall) –                            Middle Mississippian                          KY                          C,1

Rhipidomella penelope (Hall) – Jeffersonville & Speed Limestones, Eifelian, Middle Devonian, IN, KY – S,C,1,2

Rhipidomella penelope is common in the Speed Limestone
Rhipidomella penelope is common in the Speed Limestone

Rhipidomelloides emarginata – Birdsong Shale, Emsian, Lower Devonian, Decatur Co., IN – C,1

Discomyorthis oblata (Hall) – Birdsong Shale, Emsian, Lower Devonian, Decatur Co., IN – C,1

Rhynchopora beecheri                       Middle Mississippian                          KY                          P,1

Rhynchospirina globosa (Amsden) – Birdsong Shale, Emsian, Lower Devonian, Decatur Co., IN – C,1

Rhynchospirina globosa is very small (3 cm FOV)
Rhynchospirina globosa is very small (3 cm FOV)

Rhynchotreta americana (Hall) – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana – C,1,2

Schizophoria striatula                         Middle Devonian                                IN                           C,1,2

Schizoramma fissiplica (Roemer) – Brownsport Group, Wenlockian, Middle Silurian, Decatur Co., TN – C,1

Schuchertella woolworthana (Hall) – Birdsong Shale, Early Devonian, Decatur Co., Tenneessee – C,2

Schuchertella woolworthana is nearly 4 cm wide.
Schuchertella woolworthana is nearly 4 cm wide.

Sieberella roemeri (Hall & Clarke) – Brownsport Group, Wenlockian, Middle Silurian, Decatur Co., TN – C,1,2

Sieberella roemeri pedicle valve view
Sieberella roemeri pedicle valve view
Sieberella roemeri dorsal valve / rear view
Sieberella roemeri dorsal valve / rear view

Sieberella knotti (Nettleroth) – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana    C,1,2 (Restricted to Clark Co. Waldron)

Sowerbyella rugosa (Meek) – Kope Formation, Upper Ordovician, KY – C,1,2

Sowerbyella rugosa - and abundant fairly small brachiopod of the Ordovician
Sowerbyella rugosa – and abundant fairly small brachiopod of the Ordovician

Sphaerirhynchia compressa              Middle Silurian                                    TN                          C,1

Sphaerirhynchia saffordi                       ”             ”                                           TN                          C,1

Sphaerirhynchia sp.                             Middle Silurian                                    TN                          C,1

Spinatrypa spinosa                              Middle Devonian                                MI                          C,1

Spinocyrtia granulosa (Hall) – Sellersburg / North Vernon Limestone, Givetian, Middle Devonian, Clark Co., IN – S,C,1,2 (Orthospirifer fornacula in older texts)

Spinocyrtia granulosa  is the most common of the Sellersburg (North Vernon) Limestone spiriferids
Spinocyrtia granulosa is the most common of the Sellersburg (North Vernon) Limestone spiriferids

Spinulicosta spinulicosta (Hall) – Sellersburg / North Vernon Limestone, Givetian, Middle Devonian, Clark Co., IN – S,1,2

Spirifer bifurcutus Hall – Salem & St. Louis Limestone, Middle Mississippian, IN, KY – S,C,1,2

Spirifer bifurcutus is a common spiriferid brachiopod in the Salem Limestone
Spirifer bifurcutus is a common spiriferid brachiopod in the Salem Limestone

Spirifer byrnesi         Middle Devonian,  IN – S,1

Spirifer hobbsi Nettelroth – Maybe Alatiformia –  Middle Devonian, Clark Co., IN –  S,C,1,2

Spirifer washingtonensis Hall – Salem Limestone, Meramecean, Middle Mississippian, IN, KY – C,2

Spirifer washingtonensis has an extremely wide hinge-line, like some Devonian Mucrospirifer.
Spirifer washingtonensis has an extremely wide hinge-line, like some Devonian Mucrospirifer.

Stegerhynchus acinus (Hall) – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana    C,1

Smallest Waldron brachiopod is Stegerhynchus acinus
Smallest Waldron brachiopod is Stegerhynchus acinus

Stegerhynchus indianensis (Hall) – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana – C,1

Largest of Waldron species of Stegerhynchus indianensis
Largest of Waldron species of Stegerhynchus indianensis

Stegerhynchus neglecta (Hall) – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana – C,1

Stegerhynchus neglecta from the Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana
Stegerhynchus neglecta from the Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana

Stegerhynchus whitii (Hall) – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana – C,1

Strophodonta demissa (Conrad) – Speed Limestone, Eifelian, Middle Devonian, Clark Co., IN – C,1,2

Strophodonta demissa is a common species in the Speed Limestone
Strophodonta demissa is a common species in the Speed Limestone

Strophodonta plicata (Hall)? – Speed Limestone, Eifelian, Middle Devonian, Clark Co., IN – C,1,2 (Lower in strata than typical for species, so it could be another species)

Possible Strophodonta plicata from the Speed Limestone
Possible Strophodonta plicata from the Speed Limestone

Strophomena concordensis Foerste – Arnheim (Grant Lake) Formation, Upper Ordovician, IN, KY, OH – C,1,2

Strophomena concordensis - an index fossil with limited stratigraphic distribution.
Strophomena concordensis – an index fossil with limited stratigraphic distribution.

Strophomena planumbona (Hall) – Upper Ordovician,  IN, KY – C,1,2

Distinct from Rafinesquina is Strophomena planumbona
Distinct from Rafinesquina is Strophomena planumbona

Subglobochonetes planumbona       Middle Mississippian                          KY                          C,1

Tegulocera (Spirifer) tenuicostata   Middle Mississippian                          KY                         C,1,2

Torynifer salemensis                              ”             ”                                           KY                         C,1,2

Trematis millipunctata Hall – Upper Ordovician, IN, KY, OH – C,2 (Inarticulate brachiopod has an unusual texture that is recognizable. Widespread throughout the Cincinnatian, but not common.)

Trematis millipunctata has a pattern on "holes" in the valve
Trematis millipunctata has a pattern on “holes” in the valve
Trematis millipunctata - almost 2 cm across
Trematis millipunctata – almost 2 cm across

Tropidoleptus carinatus (Conrad),                     Middle Devonian                                IN                           S,1

Uncinulus stricklandi (Sowerby) – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana – C,1

Whitfieldella nitida (Hall) – Waldron Shale, Middle Silurian, Clark Co., Indiana –   C,1 

Zygospira modesta (Hall) – Upper Ordovician, IN, KY – C,1 (Very small species)

Zygospira sp. – Upper Ordovician, Boyle Co., KY – S,2