Waltonia

The genus Waltonia belongs to the phylum Brachiopoda, commonly known as lamp shells. These are bottom-dwelling marine invertebrates characterized by two shells, or valves, that are bilaterally symmetrical. Although once abundant, modern brachiopods are less numerous, with about 300 species in 80 genera found in all oceans.1

Brachiopods resemble early Roman oil lamps, hence their common name. They feed by filtering food particles from seawater using a specialized organ called a lophophore. While most brachiopods are small, some fossil forms were significantly larger. The genus Waltonia itself is small, typically around 2 cm, and is red in color with a smooth or slightly ridged shell.1