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 (1952) gives a shorter range, from the Mid Devonian to the Lower Mississippian.

Athyris Temporal range: Lower Devonian - Triassic
Athyris concentrica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Brachiopoda
Class:	Rhynchonellata
Order:	Athyridida
Family:	Athyrididae
Genus:	Athyris McCoy, 1844
species
A. concentrica (Von Buch, 1834) type = Terebratula concentrica A. lamellosa (Léveillé) A. vittata Hall
Synonyms
Cliothyris, Spirithyris, Euthyris, Cleidothyris

Alverezites, Bruntonites, and Meristospira are among related genera.

Reassigned species

Some species originally included in Athyris have been reassigned.^[1]

• A. aliena = Septathyris aliena
• A. headi = Catazyga
• A. megalotis = Comelicania megalotis
• A. peracuta = Janiceps peracuta
• A. royssii = Cleiothyridina royssii
• A. umbonata = Hindella umbonata

Ecology and taphonomy

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

• 
  Athyris concentrica, pedicle valve
• 
  Athyris concentrica, brachial valve
• 
  Athyris concentrica, anterior view
• 
  Athyris concentrica, posterior view
• 
  Athyris concentrica, lateral view

References: Aberhan et al. 2004, Hendy 2009