Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Brachiopoda |
| Class: Rhynchonellata |
| Order: Athyridida |
| Family: Athyrididae |
| Genus: Athyris |
| Species: Athyris spiriferoides (Eaton, 1831) |
Information
Geological Range
Paleogeographic Distribution
Stratigraphic Occurrences
References
Eaton, 1831 (as Terebratula spiriferoides): vol. 21, p. 137.
Hall, J., 1867: p. 285, pl. 46.
Wilson, K., 2014: pp. 110, 111.; Linsley, D., 1994: p. 198.
Remarks
Originally described as Terebratula spiriferoides by Eaton in 1831. Recombined as Athyris spiriferoides by Hall in 1867.
From Wilson (2014, p. 111): “Robust, medium-sized shell. Brachial valve more convex than pedicle valve. Surface somewhat rough due to wear of lamellae in the growth lines. To 20-30mm.” Athyris spiriferoides is a long-ranging (Eifelian-Givetian) Eastern American Realm brachiopod, though the species is largely confined to the Appalachian Basin that occurs in considerable numbers in some intervals, particularly in the Givetian Ludlowville Formation (especially Otisco and Wanakah members); it is frequently articulated and inflated; spectacular specimens with pyritized spiralia are known form the Wanakah Shale in Erie County NY (Janowsky, 1964, unpublished MS thesis, SUNY Buffalo).; Athryris is an eponymous brachiopod of the Athyris-Mediospirifer association of Brett et al. 2007; Palaios), typical of offshore low energy muddy substrate settings. Probably a pedically attached filter feeder, it is often associated with Mediospirifer or Mucrospirifer, ambocoeliids and small solitary rugose corals (Stereolasma). A frilly form, termed Athyris kashongensis, which may be an ectomorph is typical of the higher sedimentation Tropidoleptus-Nucleospira association (Brett et al., 2007 Palaios).
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