Broughia

Broughia is a genus of fossil brachiopods belonging to the order Productida. These extinct marine animals lived during the Permian period. Broughia is characterized by its concavo-convex shell shape, meaning one valve (the brachial valve) is concave and the other (the pedicle valve) is convex. Surface ornamentation typically consists of fine ribs and spines, which were likely used for stabilization within the soft sediment environment. Broughia fossils have been found in various locations worldwide, offering valuable insights into Permian marine ecosystems and biogeographic patterns. They contribute to the understanding of brachiopod evolution and the recovery from the Permian-Triassic extinction event. The exact classification of species within the genus Broughia may be subject to revision based on ongoing paleontological research.