Terebrataliidae
From Natural History of Southeast Alaska
Family: Terebrataliidae
Group: Marine Invertebrate, Species
Scientific Name | Common Name | Summary |
---|---|---|
Terebratalia transversa | Common Pacific brachiopod | Terebratalia 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. |