Athyris

Athyris is a brachiopod genus with a subequally biconvex shell that is generally wider than long and a range that extends from the Silurian into the Triassic. Athyris is the type genus for the Athyrididae, which belongs to the articulate order Athyridida. R.C. Moore (1952) gives a shorter range, from the Mid Devonian to the Lower Mississippian.

Alverezites, Bruntonites, and Meristospira are among related genera.

Reassigned species
Some species originally included in Athyris have been reassigned.
 * A. aliena = Septathyris aliena
 * A. headi = Catazyga
 * A. megalotis = Comelicania megalotis
 * A. peracuta = Janiceps peracuta
 * A. royssii = Cleiothyridina royssii
 * A. umbonata = Hindella umbonata

Ecology and taphonomy
Composition: 	low Mg calcite

Entire body: 	yes

Adult length: 	10 to < 100

Adult width: 	10 to < 100

Adult height: 	10 to < 100

Folds: 	minor

Ribbing: 	minor

Spines: 	none

Internal reinforcement: 	none

Locomotion: 	stationary

Attached: 	yes

Life habit: 	low-level epifaunal

Diet: 	suspension feeder

Vision: 	blind

References: Aberhan et al. 2004, Hendy 2009