SPIRIFER Meaning and
Definition
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Spirifer refers to a genus of extinct brachiopods, which are marine organisms that belong to the phylum Brachiopoda. Brachiopods are marine animals that possess two hinged shells, similar to bivalve mollusks, but which are not closely related to them. The Spirifer genus is known for its distinctive shell shape, which is typically elongated and features a fold in the middle known as a sulcus.
These organisms were abundant during the Paleozoic era, particularly during the Silurian and Permian periods, with some species extending into the Triassic. Spirifers are commonly found as fossils, with their remains preserved in sedimentary rocks. Their shells were composed of calcium carbonate, and they often had complex internal structures, including teeth, sockets, and brachial supports.
Spirifers were filter feeders, meaning they obtained nutrients by extracting organic matter from seawater. The presence of a well-developed ventral muscle system allowed them to control the opening and closing of their shells in response to environmental changes. This ability likely played a role in their survival and success in various marine habitats.
Due to the abundance and diversity of fossilized Spirifer specimens, they serve as important index fossils, aiding geologists and paleontologists in determining the ages of sedimentary rock layers. The study of Spirifer fossils has also provided valuable insights into the evolutionary history and paleoenvironments of the Paleozoic era.
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In geol., a genus of brachiopods whose broad-hinged deeply-striated bivalves occur in Silurian, Devonian, and carboniferous strata.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for SPIRIFER
- scorifer
- spinifeex
- spiricel
- apirifer
- zpirifer
- xpirifer
- dpirifer
- epirifer
- wpirifer
- soirifer
- slirifer
- s-irifer
- s0irifer
- spurifer
- spjrifer
- spkrifer
- sporifer
- sp9rifer
- sp8rifer
- spieifer
- spidifer
- spififer
- spitifer
- spirilar
Etymology of SPIRIFER
The word "Spirifer" originates from the field of paleontology. It is derived from the Latin word "spīrifer", which is a compound word consisting of "spīra" meaning "a coil or twist" and "fer" meaning "to bear or carry". This name was chosen due to the distinctive coiled shape of the shells of the extinct brachiopod genus, Spirifer. Brachiopods are marine organisms that have been around for millions of years but are unrelated to mollusks.
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