Grant, R. E. (1972). The lophophore and feeding mechanism of the Productidina (Brachiopoda). Journal of Paleontology. 46(2): 213-248, 9 plates.

501407

Grant, R. E.

1972

46(2): 213-248, 9 plates

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Three new genera, Falafer, Epicelia, Ceocypea, from Late Permian rocks of the island of Idhra (Hydra), Greece, contain calcified (now silicified) brachidia that reveal the shape of the lophophore in Strophalosiacea and, by implication, of the entire Productidina. This ptycholophous lophophore explains the general shape of the Productidina, and allows interpretation of the current flow and other features of the feeding mechanism; it suggests the manner of feeding of the conical Richthofeniacea, affording opportunity for a critique of Rudwick's "paradigmatic method" of functional analysis. Very slight modification of the Falafer brachidium yields the brachial valve of the Lyttoniacea, suggesting that Williams was correct in interpreting it as an "internal plate," essentially an exposed brachidium as suggested by Termier. Strikingly detailed resemblance of these genera to Thecideacea suggest that that group descended from Paleozoic Strophomenida. Replacement of the Thecideidina into the Strophomenida is advocated. Bactrynium is a separate derivation from the Strophalosiacea, independent of both Lyttoniacea and Thecideacea. The Family Cooperinidae Pajaud is assigned to the Superfamily Strophalosiacea; it contains two subfamilies, Cooperininae Pajaud and Epiceliinae new. New species are Falafer epidelus (the type), F. triminulus; Epicelia episcopiensis; Ceocypea dischides (the type), and C. chytrina. The last species occurs in the Kalabagh Member of the Wargal Limestone, Khisor Range, West Pakistan; it and other faunal elements provide a correlative link with the Lyttonienkalk of Idhra, suggesting an early Late Permian age.

Brachiopoda

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