Brachiopods are fascinating marine invertebrates often mistaken for clams, but they are entirely different organisms with a rich, 550-million-year history. Known commonly as "lamp shells," they were dominant in Paleozoic seas but are now relatively rare, often found in deep or cold waters.

They are divided into two main groups: Inarticulates (no hinges, simple muscle systems) and Articulates (hinged with a complex system).

They resemble ancient Roman oil lamps, especially the Terebratulida order.

While decimated by the end-Permian mass extinction, they are not extinct, with ~400+ extant species. 🔬 Biology and Lifestyle

They are benthic (sea-floor dwellers) and sessile (permanently attached to the seafloor), generally filter-feeding.

They use a specialized organ called a lophophore , a coil-shaped tentacle structure, to trap food, rather than gills.