PHYLUM BRACHIOPODA

LAMP SHELLS
Lophophorate coelomates:
Brachiopoda
• Commonly known as lamp shells. It has a two calcareous
valves.
• Existed since the Cambrian Period but some are already
extinct.
• All brachiopods are marine and are attached to a
substratum by its pedicle.
• Most species live attached to rocks; some live in sand
and mud bottoms (Lingula).
• Projects an anteriorly two arms called Brachia.
• Possess a food-catching organ called a Lophophore.

 2 types of muscles:
• Adductor muscles which close the halves of the shell
• Diductor muscles which open the shell so that the animal
can feed
Brachiopoda
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
LOCOMOTION No locomotion; sessile

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM U-shaped digestive tract

CIRCULATORY Open circulatory system

SYSTEM

SYMMETRY Bilateral

COELOM Protostome and deuterostome characteristics are displayed.

REPRODUCTION Usually Dioecious; without true gonads

NERVOUS SYSTEM Ganglionated circum-oesophagal ring

REPRODUCTION
• Fertilization is external and are dioecious.
• Only has a season for breeding.
• Spring and Summer for Class Inarticulata.
• Winter and Fall for Class Articulata.
• Females pick up sperm from the breeding area then
external fertilization occurs.
DEVELOPMENT

1. External Fertilization

2. Cleavage

3. Lobate Larvae

4. On Articulata, Metamorphosis occurs.

5. Attachment to substrate.
 LIFE CYCLE OF A BRACHIOPOD
Free-Swimming Stage
(Lobate larvae)

Spawning Metamorphosis

Adult Stage
CLASSES
Class Inarticulata
-unhinged valves
-lacking teeth
-chitinophosphatic shell
-does not undergo metamorphosis

Lingula Crania Orbiculoidea

Class Articulata
-hinged valves
-well-defined teeth
-calcareous shell
-undergoes metamorphosis
Order
• Order Orthida - Both valves are convex.
(Enteletes, Rhipidomella, and Schizophoria)
• Order Strophomenida - one valve is convex and the other is
concave.
(Derbyia, Juresania, Meekella)
• Order Spiriferida -The valves are biconvex with the hinge
line being the full width.
(Neospirifer, Punctospirifer, Hustedia, and Composita)
• Order Terebratulida - The valves are convex and teardrop-
shaped.
(Dielasma and Beecheria)