Form and function in a Recent free living brachiopod Magadina cumingi

Abstract

Magadina cumingi (Davidson) lives in an environment of high current energy and mobile sediments using the pedicle as an elevating device. This previously undescribed substrate relationship is reflected in pedicle form, the muscular system, distribution of secondary thickening and characters of the beak. The cardinalia provide the evidence of key differences in the muscular system from an attached species Magellania australis (Quoy and Gaimard) and a free lying species with atrophied pedicle Neothyris lenticularis (Deshayes). The possession of an open foramen in articulate brachiopods is not synonymous with permanent attachment.