Brachiopods

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Brachiopods are exclusively marine animals with shells, but unrelated to Molluscs. Some species live today, but Brachiopods were far more numerous during the Carboniferous Period. Those existing as limestone fossils at Redmire lived in a shallow, tropical sea. Continental drift has moved the rocks northwards to their present location. Brachiopods live by being 'rooted' to a hard surface by means of a stalk called a pedicel, the shell being for protection. They are filter feeders, drawing currents of water through their shells. Several species are illustrated here. Brachiopods are found as fossils from the early Cambrian Period and have shown little sign of evolution throughout their long history.