Athyris
Athyris is a brachiopod genus with a subequally biconvex shell that is generally wider than long and a range that extends from the Silurian into the Triassic. Athyris is the type genus for the Athyrididae, which belongs to the articulate order Athyridida. R.C. Moore gives a shorter range, from the Mid Devonian to the Lower Mississippian.
Alverezites, Bruntonites, and Meristospira are among related genera.Some species originally included in Athyris have been reassigned.
- A. aliena = Septathyris aliena
- A. headi = Catazyga
- A. megalotis = Comelicania megalotis
- A. peracuta = Janiceps peracuta
- A. royssii = Cleiothyridina royssii
- A. umbonata = Hindella umbonata
Composition: low Mg calcite
Entire body: yes
Adult length: 10 to < 100
Adult width: 10 to < 100
Adult height: 10 to < 100
Folds: minor
Ribbing: minor
Spines: none
Internal reinforcement: none
Locomotion: stationary
Attached: yes
Life habit: low-level epifaunal
Diet: suspension feeder
Vision: blind
References: Aberhan et al. 2004, Hendy 2009
