When Did Atrypa Go Extinct?

Atrypa went extinct at the end of the Frasnian Age, which is a significant part of the Late Devonian period.

The extinction of Atrypa, a prominent genus within the order Atrypida, marks a notable event in the Earth's geological history. These fascinating marine organisms, known for their distinctive ribbed shells, had a long and successful evolutionary journey before their eventual disappearance.

The Evolutionary Journey of Atrypa

To understand the context of their extinction, it's helpful to trace their lineage:

• First Appearance: Atrypa first emerged during the Middle Ordovician period.
• Survival and Dominance: They demonstrated remarkable resilience, successfully surviving the major Ordovician-Silurian extinction event. Following this, they thrived and became one of the dominant groups of brachiopods during the Silurian period, sharing this prominence with the order Pentamerida.
• Late Devonian Survival: Their enduring presence extended well into the Late Devonian period.

The Frasnian Extinction Event

Despite their long-standing success, Atrypa lineages did not survive past the Frasnian Age. The end of the Frasnian is associated with a significant global extinction event, often referred to as the Frasnian-Famennian event or the Late Devonian Extinction. While the exact causes are complex and debated, it led to the decline and disappearance of many marine species, including various groups of brachiopods, reef-building organisms, and other invertebrates.

This table summarizes key milestones in the history of Atrypa:

The extinction of Atrypa at the close of the Frasnian serves as a paleontological marker, indicating the dramatic environmental shifts that characterized the end of the Devonian period.