Practice question

Brachiopoda constitute distinct solitary marine coelomate lophophorate phylum universally called lamp shells due to resemblance of terebratulid shells to ancient Roman oil lamps, particularly pedicle valve swollen pointed posteriorly accommodating pedicle foramen like lamp spout. Shell comprises dorsal smaller brachial valve and larger ventral pedicle valve made of calcium carbonate or chitinophosphate, both dorsal and ventral not lateral, enclosing lophophore supported by calcareous brachidium. Attached permanently via muscular fleshy pedicle through foramen. Once dominant Paleozoic benthos with >12000 fossil species, modern diversity ~350 species but ecologically important benthic filter feeders in cold waters.