Convergence in the evolution of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic brachiopods

Abstract Examples of convergent evolution in unrelated brachiopod groups and within different athyrid taxa are recognised and discussed. The examples include striking external similarities of species of Plicathyris (Lower Devonian, Pragian‐Upper Devonian, lower Frasnian), Anathyris (Lower Devonian, Emsian‐Upper Devonian, Frasnian), Anathyrella (Upper Devonian, Frasnian), Pinegathyris (Cisuralian, Kungurian‐Guadalupian, Wordian), Comelicania (Lopingian, Changhsingian), and Clavigera (Upper Triassic, Norian‐Rhaetian). Their lifestyle and the relationship of these brachiopods to their environments are discussed and tentatively interpreted from morphology.