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Free Fossil Identification
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BRACHIOPODS

Identifing a Brachiopod can be hard, but is not impossible. You can identify a Brachiopod from the shape of it's shell, the ribs and the growth lines on the shell.

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ACTINOCONCHUS
UPPER CARBONIFEROUS. 310-300 MYA.

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Actinoconchus is recognized by it's growth lines on it's shell. 
3 cm is a decent size for an Actinoconchus. 
They have asymmetrical valves and a wide dent in the center. It has a growth lines on it's shell.

LINGULID BRACHIOPOD
MIDDLE CAMBRIAN TO 
TERTIARY. 500-0 MYA.

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Lingulid Brachiopod is recognized by it's growth lines on it's shell. 
12 cm is a decent size for a Lingulid Brachiopod.
They have symmetrical valves and a stem (used as an anchor). They have a growth lines on it's shell.

ORTHID BRACHIOPOD
MIDDLE CAMBRIAN TO UPPER PERMIAN. 500-250 MYA.

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Orthid Brachiopod is recognized by it's rounded ridges.
6 cm is a decent size for an Orthid Brachiopod.
They have symmetrical valves and a wide dent in the center. They have rounded ridges; the spaces between the ridges are the same width as the ridges.

PENTAMERUS
UPPER CAMBRIAN TO MIDDLE DEVONIAN. 500-365 MYA.

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Pentamerus is recognized by having one valve bigger than the other. 9 cm is a decent size for a Pentamerus.
They have symmetrical valves. They have no ridges or dents. One valve is bigger than the other.

Plectothyris
LOWER JURASSIC TO LOWER CRETACEOUS. 190-135 MYA.

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Plectothyris is recognized by Ribs that appear towards the edge of the shell. Unlike most Brachiopods, Plectothyris is normally preserved in Mother of Pearl. 
7 cm is a decent size for a Plectothyris.
They have symmetrical valves; Growth lines are normally worn away with time; Ribs appear towards the edge.

SPIRIFER
LOWER ORDOVICIAN TO UPPER PERMIAN. 480-250 MYA.

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Spirifer is recognized by it's rounded ridges. 
5 cm is a decent size for a Spirifer. 
They have symmetrical valves and a wide dent in the center. They have rounded ridges; the spaces between the ridges are the same width as the ridges.             
                                                                        They also have a long shell.

STROPHOMENID BRACHIOPOD
MIDDLE ORDOVICIAN TO UPPER TRIASSIC. 470-210 MYA.

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Strophomenid Brachiopod is recognized by it's flat, wide shell. 
5 cm is a decent size for a Strophomenid Brachiopod.
They have symmetrical valves and small ridges which are widely 
spaced.

TORQUIRHYNCHIA
UPPER TRIASSIC TO UPPER CRETACEOUS. 210-68 MYA.

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Torquirhynchia is recognized by it's bend at the mouth (where the two valves meet). 
4 cm is a decent size for a Torquirhynchia.
They have asymmetrical valves and a bend at the mouth where the 
two valves meet. It has rounded ridges; the spaces between the ridges are the same width as the ridges.

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