Article: Why the rhynchonellid brachiopods survived and the spiriferids did not: a suggestion
Publication: Palaeontology
Volume:
30
Part:
4
Publication Date:
December
1987
Page(s):
853
–
857
Author(s):
Derek V. Ager
Abstract
It is suggested that the rhynchonellid brachiopods survived to the present day whilst all other forms with spirolophous lophophores became extinct because the latter were restrained by calcareous spiralia whereas the former were able to extend their lophophores outside their shells.