Terebrataliidae

From Natural History of Southeast Alaska
Jump to: navigation, search


Family: Terebrataliidae

Group: Marine Invertebrate, Species

Scientific NameCommon NameSummary
Terebratalia transversaCommon Pacific brachiopodTerebratalia transverssa is the most common brachiopod in our area, at least as far as beachcombers are concerned. It is easier to find an empty shell. The shell is instantly recognized thanks to the "smile" where the two valves meet, and the internal structure known as the lophpore, even though that structure is sometimes missing through beach erosion. Living brachiopods are sometimes found during negative tides.

Brachiopods are much more familiar to fossil hunters than to beach combers. They are not related to molluscs, and finding one is a little bit like finding an ammonite.

Specimens in Juneau seem to usually be smooth, whereas those in Sitka are usually ribbed.