Abstract
AbstractDespite many major advances in recent years, three key challenges remain in bringing clarity to the early history of the phylum: (1) identifying the origin, morphology and life modes of the first brachiopods; (2) understanding the relationships of the major groups to each other and higher sister taxa; and (3) unravelling the roles of the Cambrian and Ordovician radiations that set the agenda for much of subsequent brachiopod evolution. Since some 95% of all brachiopod taxa are extinct, the fossil record is the primary source of data to frame and test models for the evolution of the phylum. The acquisition of new, and the redescription of existing faunas, in precise spatial and temporal frameworks, using new and well‐established analytical and investigative techniques, are as important as ever.
Highlights
O U R current understanding of the Cambrian origin and early history of the brachiopods is far from complete; the Brachiopoda provides a rich source of data for addressing major research questions relevant to their evolution and that of other invertebrate phyla
A, reconstruction of a rhynchonelliform terebratulide brachiopod, cut along the plane of symmetry to reveal internal anatomy
Recent brachiopods are distributed across three major groups, which are currently referred to three subphyla: Linguliformea, Craniiformea and Rhynchonelliformea (Williams et al 1996)
Summary
Citation for published item: Harper, David A. Palaeontology published by John Wiley Sons Ltd on behalf of The Palaeontological Association. A full bibliographic reference is made to the original source a link is made to the metadata record in DRO the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Durham University Library, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LY, United Kingdom Tel : +44 (0)191 334 3042 | Fax : +44 (0)191 334 2971 https://dro.dur.ac.uk [Palaeontology, Vol 60, Part 5, 2017, pp. Durham University Library, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LY, United Kingdom Tel : +44 (0)191 334 3042 | Fax : +44 (0)191 334 2971 https://dro.dur.ac.uk [Palaeontology, Vol 60, Part 5, 2017, pp. 609–631]
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