Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Leptodus
fossil brachiopod genus
Leptodus, extinct genus of articulate brachiopods, or lamp shells, of the Permian Period (299 million to 251 million years ago). Leptodus, a very specialized form characterized by an aberrant morphology, had an oysterlike pedicle valve, which anchored the shell to the substrate and was probably attached to other shells by cementation. The brachial (upper) valve was flat and very thin. It is likely that Leptodus inhabited the flanks of reefs developed in shallow Permian seas of North America.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Richard Pallardy.
Discover how ordinary objects work, and expand your understanding of the familiar.
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
By clicking "Sign Up", you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.