Location: Valongo Formation, Arouca, Portugal

Weight: 3.8 Ounces 

Dimensions: 3.8 Inches Long, 2.5 Inches wide, 0.5 Inches Thick (Matrix)

Dimensions: 1.6 Inches Long, 0.7 Inches wide

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Middle Ordovician Age, 470 Million Years Old.

Paralenorthis sp is a genus of brachiopods belonging to the class Rhynchonellata, which are characterized by their bivalve-like shells and are primarily found in marine environments. The classification of Paralenorthis places it within the phylum Brachiopoda, which is known for its diverse fossil record dating back to the Cambrian period. The specific species referred to as Paralenorthis sp. indicates that it is an unidentified or unspecified species within this genus.

The distribution of Paralenorthis sp. in Portugal can be linked to the geological formations present in the region, particularly those from the Paleozoic era, where many brachiopod fossils have been discovered. These organisms typically inhabit shallow marine environments, often associated with sedimentary rock formations that provide suitable substrates for their attachment.

In Portugal, significant fossil beds containing brachiopods have been located in areas such as the Lusitanian Basin, which has yielded a variety of marine fossils due to its historical geological activity. The presence of Paralenorthis sp. suggests that these organisms thrived during periods when the climate was conducive to marine life.

Members of the genus Paralenorthis exhibit distinct morphological features typical of rhynchonellid brachiopods. They possess two valves (shells) that are generally symmetrical and can vary in shape from rounded to oval. The surface texture may include fine ribbing or ornamentation, which can aid in species identification.

The internal structure includes a lophophore—a feeding organ unique to brachiopods—allowing them to filter feed on plankton and organic particles suspended in water. This adaptation is crucial for their survival in nutrient-rich marine environments.