journal article
LitStream Collection
Deltidial spines in the Triassic BrachiopodBittnerula
1970 PalZ
doi: 10.1007/bf02989796pmid: N/A
New specimens ofBittnerula zitteli (Bittner) from the Triassic of northern Italy show that the deltidium bore spines, thickly clustered in the apical region. The spines were probably developed as auxiliary attachment or stabilising structures during or after the early atrophy of the pedicle. Deltidial spines are not known in any other spiriferide brachiopod. The only possible analogues in the Brachiopoda are the spines on the «elytridium» of the aulostegid productoids.