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Common Lampshell, Terebratalia transversa. This small, 18mm across, shell is not a Mollusc but is in a phylum of its own, Brachiopoda. In our area the shells have prominent ribs as opposed to the smoother shells of more southern lamp shells. The Lampshell is attached to the underside of a large rocks at the very low tide line and much deeper. The flexible foot exits the shell at that rear aperture. My next challenge is to find a live specimen. When&rsquo;s the next low, low tide?<br />
<a href="https://inverts.wallawalla.edu/Brachiopoda/Class" rel="nofollow">https://inverts.wallawalla.edu/Brachiopoda/Class</a> Articulata/Order Telotremata/Terebratalia_transversa_Page.html<br />
From Eugene Kozloff&rsquo;s &ldquo;Seashore Life of the Northern Pacific Coast&rdquo; (1983),<br />
&ldquo;A particularly attractive variant is common on Saltspring Island, in the Canadian San Juans, and perhaps elsewhere in the same general region. The shell is strongly ribbed, and the width is much greater than the length.&rdquo; Brachiopod,Canada,Common Lampshell,Geotagged,Terebratalia transversa Click/tap to enlarge PromotedSpecies introCountry intro

Common Lampshell, Terebratalia transversa.

This small, 18mm across, shell is not a Mollusc but is in a phylum of its own, Brachiopoda. In our area the shells have prominent ribs as opposed to the smoother shells of more southern lamp shells. The Lampshell is attached to the underside of a large rocks at the very low tide line and much deeper. The flexible foot exits the shell at that rear aperture. My next challenge is to find a live specimen. When’s the next low, low tide?
https://inverts.wallawalla.edu/Brachiopoda/Class Articulata/Order Telotremata/Terebratalia_transversa_Page.html
From Eugene Kozloff’s “Seashore Life of the Northern Pacific Coast” (1983),
“A particularly attractive variant is common on Saltspring Island, in the Canadian San Juans, and perhaps elsewhere in the same general region. The shell is strongly ribbed, and the width is much greater than the length.”

    comments (3)

  1. Whoa, a phylum intro, that's a rare thing to happen. Superb job, Gary! Posted 5 years ago
    1. Thank you. Now to find the live ones! Posted 5 years ago
  2. Fantastic find! Posted 5 years ago

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Terebratalia transversal brachiopod in Terebratiliidae family. Some sources place it in Laqueidae family.

Similar species: Terebratulida
Species identified by Jivko Nakev
View gary fast's profile

By gary fast

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Uploaded May 12, 2020. Captured in 315 Whaletown Rd, Whaletown, BC V0P 1Z0, Canada.