Epioblasma

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Epioblasma
Epioblasma brevidens.jpg
Epioblasma brevidens
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Unionida
Family: Unionidae
Tribe: Lampsilini
Genus: Epioblasma
Rafinesque, 1831
Synonyms

DysnomiaAgassiz, 1852

Epioblasma is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Most of the species in this genus have been lost in modern times, and the entire genus is threatened with the possibility of extinction.

Contents

Reproduction

All Unionidae are known to use the gills, fins, or skin of a host fish for nutrients during the larval glochidia stage. It was discovered in 2004 that female Epioblasma in the subgenus Torulosa transfer their parasitic larvae to the host fish by snapping onto the head of the fish and pumping the larvae into the host fish's gills. While using bait to lure host fish towards the larvae is common in the family Unionidae, this was the first time that "fish snapping" behavior had been observed. Examination of other species within the genus Epioblasma may further reveal unusual reproductive mechanisms. [1]

Taxonomy of the genus Epioblasma

Note: Taxa with a "" symbol are extinct due to human activity

Conservation status

In September, 2017, a total of 700 golden riffleshell mussels, a federally-endangered species, were released into the Clinch River and Indian Creek. The release comes nearly twenty years after a chemical spill from an overturned tanker truck eliminated the mussel from the Clinch River; and after years of work to rear the animal in captivity by the states of Virginia and Kentucky as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Virginia Tech. Golden riffleshell mussels ready for release.jpg
In September, 2017, a total of 700 golden riffleshell mussels, a federally-endangered species, were released into the Clinch River and Indian Creek. The release comes nearly twenty years after a chemical spill from an overturned tanker truck eliminated the mussel from the Clinch River; and after years of work to rear the animal in captivity by the states of Virginia and Kentucky as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Virginia Tech.

This entire genus is imperiled. In this genus, 15 species or subspecies are believed to be extinct. Of those remaining, all are federally protected species. The last to be listed as a federally endangered species was Epioblasma triquetra , which was listed in 2012.

This group of freshwater mussels is threatened primarily by habitat alteration as are other freshwater mussels. Dams, erosion, and pollution appear to be the primarily threats. Some workers recognize additional species not currently on the official list of recognized species.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern riffleshell</span> Subspecies of bivalve

The northern riffleshell is a subspecies of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This mussel is endangered and federally protected. It was proposed as a species, Epioblasma rangiana, by Williams et al. (2017).

Alasmidonta atropurpurea, common name Cumberland elktoe, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.

<i>Epioblasma biemarginata</i> Species of bivalve

Epioblasma biemarginata, the angled riffleshell, was a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. It is now extinct.

<i>Epioblasma brevidens</i> Species of freshwater mussel

Epioblasma brevidens, the Cumberlandian combshell, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae. This species is endemic to the United States, found mainly in the states of Tennessee and Virginia. This mussel resides in medium-sized streams to large rivers. The combshell is an endangered species and protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The combshell is threatened by habitat modifications and pollution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oyster mussel</span> Species of bivalve

The oyster mussel is a rare species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae. This aquatic bivalve mollusk is native to the Cumberland and Tennessee River systems of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Virginia in the United States. It has been extirpated from the states of Georgia and North Carolina. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.

<i>Epioblasma flexuosa</i> Species of bivalve

Epioblasma flexuosa, the arcuate pearly mussel or leafshell, was a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This species was endemic to the United States, where it was found in the major drainages of the Ohio River, including the Cumberland, Tennessee, and Wabash Rivers. Its natural habitat was flowing water.

Epioblasma lenior, the narrow catspaw or Stone's pearly mussel, was a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.

<i>Epioblasma propinqua</i> Species of bivalve

Epioblasma propinqua, the Tennessee riffleshell or nearby pearly mussel, is an extinct species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae. It was endemic to the United States, where it was found in the drainages of the Cumberland River, Ohio River, and Tennessee River.

<i>Epioblasma sampsonii</i> Species of bivalve

Epioblasma sampsonii, the Wabash riffleshell or Sampson's naiad, was a species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae. It is now extinct.

<i>Epioblasma stewardsonii</i> Extinct species of bivalve

Epioblasma stewardsonii, the Cumberland leafshell or Steward's pearly mussel, is an extinct species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae.

<i>Epioblasma turgidula</i> Species of bivalve

Epioblasma turgidula, the turgid blossom pearly mussel, turgid riffle shell, turgid-blossom naiad or turgid blossom, was a species of freshwater mussel, a mollusk in the family Unionidae. It is now likely extinct.

<i>Pleurobema clava</i> Species of bivalve

Pleurobema clava, the clubshell, club naiad or clubshell pearly mussel, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.

<i>Epioblasma triquetra</i> Species of bivalve

Epioblasma triquetra, common name the snuffbox mussel, is a species of freshwater mussel, a mollusk in the family Unionidae. It is native to eastern North America, where it is a listed as an endangered species in both Canada and the United States.

<i>Epioblasma walkeri</i> Species of bivalve

Epioblasma walkeri, common name the tan riffleshell, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.

<i>Epioblasma torulosa</i> Species of bivalve

Epioblasma torulosa, commonly called the tubercled blossom, is a species of freshwater mussel, a mollusk in the family Unionidae. It is native to eastern North America, where it is considered endangered in both Canada and the United States.

<i>Epioblasma obliquata</i> Species of bivalve

Epioblasma obliquata, commonly called the catspaw, is a species of freshwater mussel. It is native to eastern North America, where it is classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. There are two subspecies, each with distinct morphology. Due to species rarity, the behavior of this organism is unknown beyond general freshwater mussel behavior.

<i>Epioblasma ahlstedti</i> Species of bivalve

Epioblasma ahlstedti, commonly called the Duck River dartersnapper, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.

References

  1. "Epioblasma".