''Athyris'' is a brachiopod genus with a subequally biconvex shell that is generally wider than long and a range that extends from the Silurian into the Triassic. ''Athyris'' is the type genus for the
Athyrididae, which belongs to the articulate order
Athyridida
Athyridida is an order of Paleozoic brachiopods included in the Rhynchonellata, which makes up part of the articulate brachiopods.
The Athyridida are the Rostrospracea of R.C Moore, 1952,Moore, Lalcker and Fischer, 1952, Invertebrate Fossils, McG ...
. R.C. Moore (1952) gives a shorter range, from the Mid
Devonian
The Devonian ( ) is a geologic period and system of the Paleozoic era, spanning 60.3 million years from the end of the Silurian, million years ago (Mya), to the beginning of the Carboniferous, Mya. It is named after Devon, England, whe ...
to the Lower
Mississippian.
''
Alverezites'', ''
Bruntonites'', and ''
Meristospira'' are among related genera.
Reassigned species
Some species originally included in Athyris have been reassigned.
* ''A. aliena''
= ''
Septathyris aliena''
* ''A. headi''
= ''
Catazyga''
* ''A. megalotis''
= ''
Comelicania megalotis''
* ''A. peracuta''
= ''
Janiceps peracuta''
* ''A. royssii''
= ''
Cleiothyridina royssii''
* ''A. umbonata''
= ''
Hindella umbonata''
Ecology and taphonomy
Composition: low Mg calcite
Entire body: yes
Adult length: 10 to < 100
Adult width: 10 to < 100
Adult height: 10 to < 100
Folds: minor
Ribbing: minor
Spines: none
Internal reinforcement: none
Locomotion: stationary
Attached: yes
Life habit: low-level epifaunal
Diet: suspension feeder
Vision: blind
File:Athyris concentrica pedunculate valve.jpg, ''Athyris concentrica'', pedicle valve
File:Athyris concentrica brachial valve.jpg, ''Athyris concentrica'', brachial valve
File:Athyris concentrica opening.jpg, ''Athyris concentrica'', anterior view
File:Athyris concentrica hinge.jpg, ''Athyris concentrica'', posterior view
File:Athyris concentrica lateral.jpg, ''Athyris concentrica'', lateral view
References: Aberhan et al. 2004, Hendy 2009
References
* R.C Moore 1952. Brachiopods, Ch 6. Moore, Lalicker, and Fischer. Invertebrate Fossils, McGraw-Hill.
Athyris data
{{Taxonbar, from=Q4815734
Rhynchonellata
Prehistoric brachiopod genera
Early Devonian first appearances
Triassic extinctions
Paleozoic life of Ontario
Paleozoic life of Alberta
Paleozoic life of Manitoba
Paleozoic life of Nunavut
Paleozoic life of Quebec
Paleozoic life of Yukon