Obolella

Obolella is an extinct genus of brachiopods belonging to the order Obolellata. These early, Cambrian-period brachiopods are characterized by their small size, thin shells, and distinctive pedicle opening (foramen) located near the posterior margin of the ventral valve. Obolella shells are typically oval or subcircular in outline.

Obolella is significant in the study of early brachiopod evolution as it represents one of the earliest known forms of articulate brachiopods, providing insights into the diversification of this important group of marine invertebrates. The genus has been found in Cambrian-age deposits across various paleogeographic regions, contributing to our understanding of Cambrian paleobiogeography and the Cambrian explosion.

The shells of Obolella are composed of calcium phosphate, unlike the calcium carbonate shells of most later brachiopods. This unique composition highlights the difference in biomineralization strategies employed by early brachiopods. The genus is important for the study of the evolution of biomineralization within the brachiopod lineage.

Fossil occurrences of Obolella are used in biostratigraphy to help date Cambrian sedimentary rocks.