See text The Rhynchonellata is a class of Lower Cambrian to Recent articulate brachiopods that combines orders from within the Rhynchonelliformea (Articulata revised) with well developed pedicle attachment.

Although morphologically distinct, included orders follow a consistent phylogenetic sequence.

Orders assigned to the Rhynchonellata, in temporal sequence, include: The Atrypida, Athyridida, Spiriferida, and Spiriferinida were previously considered as suborders in the Spiriferida[1] and in the Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology part H,[2] all having coiled spiralia for lophophore support.

The Orthida and Spiriferida have wide hinge lines where the two valves (or shells) articulate.

Most have shells without perforations known as punctae and are impunctate but some e.g. Orthida and Rhynchonellida have punctate offshoots.