The organophosphatic shell structure of the paterinate (Cryptotretidae) brachiopod Askepasmasp. is described, based on new material from the Lower Cambrian of South Australia. Thelamellose shell is penetrated by phosphatic canals, oriented subparallel to the shell lamination;the canals were open to the exterior and most likely contained organic setae that would haveemerged between lamellae. This type of setigerous canal system was previously only knownfrom the stem group brachiopods Mickwitzia muralensis and M. cf. occidens as well as theenigmatic sclerites of the tannuolinid Micrina, which has been interpreted as a more basal stemgroup brachiopod.The organophosphatic shell structure of the paterinate (Cryptotretidae) brachiopod Askepasmasp. is described, based on new material from the Lower Cambrian of South Australia. Thelamellose shell is penetrated by phosphatic canals, oriented subparallel to the shell lamination;the canals were open to the exterior and most likely contained organic setae that would haveemerged between lamellae. This type of setigerous canal system was previously only knownfrom the stem group brachiopods Mickwitzia muralensis and M. cf. occidens as well as theenigmatic sclerites of the tannuolinid Micrina, which has been interpreted as a more basal stemgroup brachiopod.