Thanks Andrew
I was familiar with the Lingula and the Horsehoe Crab, but not the clam.

Kay Lavalier wrote:

> Andrew Vik
> [log in to unmask]
>
> Nora:
>
> I can't think of any really ancient species right off the bat, but the
> genus Solemya (the Awning Clams) is probably the oldest extant genus
> in my collection. It has been on Earth since  Palaeozoic times. Our
> Horseshoe Crab, Limulus, also dates from those times, as does the
> common burrowing brachiopod Lingula. And all three of these creatures
> look virtually identical to their ancient ancestors.
>
> Andrew
>
> NORA BRYAN wrote:
>
>> I think aspen are the same way - they clone themselves, so there is
>> always much
>> discussion when it comes to these "guiness book" type of claims
>> about what is the
>> oldest or the largest organisms.  I think there is a grove of aspens
>> (or some
>> similar plant) somewhere that claims to be the largest single
>> organism even
>> though it looks like many separate plants.  Actually the aspen (or
>> whatever)
>> isn't claiming anything, it doesn't care, but some people seem to
>> care.
>> Sorry, I can't think of a single shell-related comment to make - no
>> wait here's a
>> question - does anyone know what extant species has the longest
>> fossil record?  I
>> bet it would be a type of abalone.
>>
>> Nora
>> Calgary, Alberta
>