EEMB 136L Lecture 10: Lab 10
15 Nov 2017
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Document Summary
Isolated marine suspension feeders with a shell consisting 2 valves. Pedicle (ventral) valve usually larger than brachial (dorsal) valve. Commissure: the meeting line of the 2 valves. Feed with the aid of a lophophores, which bears ciliated tentacles. Lophophores borne on the brachial valve and is divided into a left and right "arms" Cilia create water currents that carry food particles and oxygenated water. Lophophores rests on a calcified support called brachidium. Can stand up in the current on pedicle- a fleshy line used to attach and anchor brachiopods to a substrate. Have adductor muscle: close the shell; diductor muscles: open the shell; adjustor muscles: allow brachiopods to turn on its pedicle. Anterior tips of the valves project just above the sediment surface. Subtle muscle scars and not visible in fossils. Pedicle valve is flat and cemented to a hard substrate.
