Rhynchonellata

Rhynchonellata
Temporal range: Lower Cambrian–Recent
Burmirhynchia jirbaensis (Jurassic, Israel)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Brachiopoda
Subphylum: Rhynchonelliformea
Class: Rhynchonellata
Orders

See text

A modern member of Rhynchonellata, Calloria inconspicua, observed off the coast of New Zealand

The Rhynchonellata is a class of Lower Cambrian to Recent articulate brachiopods that combines orders from within the Rhynchonelliformea (Articulata revised) with well developed pedicle attachment. Shell forms vary from those with wide hinge lines to beaked forms with virtually no hinge line and from generally smooth to strongly plicate. Most all are biconvex. Lophophores vary and include both looped and spiraled forms. Although morphologically distinct, included orders follow a consistent phylogenetic sequence.