Final answer:
Brachiopods are marine invertebrates with distinct shell valves used for determining paleoenvironments; their vertical symmetry differently from bivalves helps in biostratigraphy studies. They are not ammoniotelic.
Step-by-step explanation:
Brachiopods are marine invertebrates that have inhabited Earth's oceans since the Cambrian period. These organisms are known for their two distinct valves and are often used to determine paleoenvironments due to their fossil records. To determine the paleoenvironment of a brachiopod, one could analyze the morphology of the valves, the size and shape of the pedicle opening, and the overall symmetry of the organism.
Brachiopods have a vertical plane of symmetry, unlike bivalves which have a horizontal plane. The brachial valve and pedicle valve of a brachiopod are not only different in size but also in shape. These characteristics, preserved in their fossils, can provide insights into the conditions they lived in. Brachiopod shells are particularly useful for biostratigraphy, aiding in understanding geological time and the diversity of past marine ecosystems.
In terms of the question about the ammoniotelic nature of brachiopods, the statement is false. Ammoniotelic refers to animals that excrete ammonia as the primary waste product, commonly seen in aquatic organisms. Brachiopods, however, are not typically categorized by their excretory products in the same manner as creatures like fish or ammonites.