| Lampsilis fasciola | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Unionida |
| Family: | Unionidae |
| Genus: | Lampsilis |
| Species: | L. fasciola |
| Binomial name | |
| Lampsilis fasciola Rafinesque, 1820 | |
Lampsilis fasciola, the wavy-rayed lampmussel, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.
The wavy-rayed lampmussel is a relatively small mussel distributed throughout Southern Ontario and the North-Eastern sections of the United States. The mussel is characterized by its yellow to yellowish-green colour. The mussel receives its name from the numerous thin wavy rays that cover its shell. These waves can be thin and separate or coalesced into significantly wider rays. The beak is slightly elevated above the hinge lines and the beak sculpture consists of 3 to 5 wavy lines. The shell is compressed to inflated (females) in shape and the anterior end is rounded with the posterior end bluntly pointed in males and rounded in females. [2] The mussel's nacre is typically white or bluish, and the shell in general is rounded and generally symmetrical over the axis. The shell is mostly smooth, excepting certain wrinkles and growth rests that may appear. Wavy-rayed Lampmussles are typically less than 75 millimetres (3.0 in), but have been known to grow up to 90 to 100 millimetres (3.5 to 3.9 in) in length. [3]
Wavy-rayed lampmussels are historically distributed throughout Southern Ontario as well as 13 U.S. States including the Ohio watershed. In Ontario the mussel has been confirmed in at least four watersheds: the Ausable, Grand, Maitland and Thames river. Mussels live in gravel and sand bottoms in medium-sized streams but are particularly sensitive to changes in their environment. [3] Typically the mussels are found in streams with good currents, and near to riffles, and are rarely found in medium-sized rivers. [4] Like many mussels, the larvae of this species are parasitic and affix themselves to fish hosts. At this stage the larvae consume nutrients from the fish body until they develop into juvenile mussels, and drop off. Fish hosts used by the wavy-rayed lampmussel include the largemouth bass and the smallmouth bass. These fish hosts are especially important to ensure healthy mussel populations. [5]
Like many fresh water mussels, the wavy-rayed lampmussel is extremely sensitive to changes in water quality. This includes chemical contaminants entering its habitat such as copper, ammonia and chloride, particularly during their glochidial and juvenile life phases. This, along with loss of habitat has caused a continuous decrease in the mussel's populations. Additionally, the introduction of the invasive zebra mussel has resulted in even greater reductions in population. By affixing themselves to hard surfaces the zebra mussels are in direct competition with wavy-rayed lampmussels, and impair their ability to feed, reproduce and move. [3] Smaller population may also be affected by predation by muskrats. [5] Like other mussels, other threats to the wavy-rayed lampmussel include: natural flow alterations, siltation, channel disturbance, point and non-point source pollution, and exotic species (including the aforementioned zebra mussel). Maintenance or establishment of vegetated riparian buffers can help protect mussel habitats from many of their threats. [6]
The Canadian Species at Risk Act listed it in the List of Wildlife Species at Risk as being endangered in Canada. [7] In 2010 the status of the wavy-rayed lampmussel was reassessed for downgrading due to increased populations. Currently it is listed as "Special Concern" under SARA, as of March 2013, and "Special Concern" under COSEWIC, as of April 2010. [3]
The Tippecanoe River is a gentle, 182-mile-long (293 km) river in the Central Corn Belt Plains ecoregion in northern Indiana. It flows from Crooked Lake in Noble County to the Wabash River near what is now Battle Ground, about 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Lafayette. The name "Tippecanoe" was derived from a Miami-Illinois word for buffalo fish, reconstructed as */kiteepihkwana/ or as kiteepihkwana siipiiwi.
The zebra mussel is a small freshwater mussel. The species was originally native to the lakes of southern Russia and Ukraine, but has been accidentally introduced to numerous other areas and has become an invasive species in many countries worldwide. Since the 1980s, the species has invaded the Great Lakes, Hudson River, and Lake Travis.
The Sydenham River is a river in Chatham-Kent, Lambton County and Middlesex County in southwestern Ontario, Canada, flowing southwest from its source west of London, Ontario and emptying into Lake Saint Clair. The length of the river is 165 kilometres (103 mi) and it drains a watershed of approximately 2,700 square kilometres (1,000 sq mi). The river flows through the towns of Strathroy and Wallaceburg. It was named after Lord Sydenham, governor of Canada from 1839 to 1841.
The dwarf wedgemussel is an endangered species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.
The Sydney River is a short river located in Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia, Canada. Historically, it was also referred to as the Spanish River from the 18th century French name for its estuary, Baie d’Espagnols. It separates the communities of Coxheath and Westmount, on the north bank of the river, from Howie Centre, Sydney River, and Sydney on the south and east banks.
The northern riffleshell, is a subspecies of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.
The freshwater pearl mussel is an endangered species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusc in the family Margaritiferidae.
The cracking pearlymussel is an endangered species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae.
Hay Swamp is a provincially significant wetland complex, 1839 hectares in size, located in parts of the central land areas of the municipalities of Bluewater and South Huron, in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Approximately 13 kilometers (8.1 mi) in length and 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) in width, at its widest point; it consists of 15 extensively forested individual wetlands, situated on either side, of sections of both the upper drainage of the Ausable River and its tributary, Black Creek.
The blackstripe topminnow, Fundulus notatus, is a small freshwater fish in the family Fundulidae, found in central North America.
Lampsilis abrupta, the pink mucket or pink mucket pearly mussel, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This species is endemic to the United States.
Lampsilis is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. There are over 100 species in the genus.
Lampsilis cariosa, the yellow lampmussel, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.
Lampsilis higginsii is a rare species of freshwater mussel known as Higgins' eye pearly mussel or simply Higgins' eye. It is endemic to the United States, where it occurs in the upper Mississippi River and the drainages of some of its tributaries. It is threatened by the introduced zebra mussel. Lapsilis higginsii is a federally listed endangered species.
Lampsilis rafinesqueana, the Neosho mucket or Neosho pearly mussel, is a species of North American freshwater mussel endemic to Arkansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas.
Ptychobranchus fasciolaris is a species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Its common name is kidneyshell.
Simpsonaias ambigua, the salamander mussel or mudpuppy mussel, is a species of bivalve in the family Unionidae. It is unique among freshwater mussels in using mudpuppies as its glochidial host. It is the only freshwater mussel known to have a non-fish host.
The bridle shiner is a member of the minnow family (Cyprinidae). This species has been identified as being of Special Concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).
Villosa iris, the rainbow mussel or rainbow-shell, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.
Canadian aquatic invasive species are all forms of life that traditionally has not been native to Canada's waterways. In Eastern Canada, non-native plant and animal species are a concern to biologists. Bringing non-native species such as invasive fishes into Canada can damage the environment and ecosystem by repressing native species due to food competition or preying. Invasive fishes enter the fresh waters of Canada in several ways including drifting, deliberate introduction, accidental release, experimental purposes and, most commonly, through the attachment on international boat hulls. Invasive species are the second biggest threat to fish and other marine life in Canada behind loss of habitat and degradation. The threat to native species is primarily caused by impacts on the food web; however, invasive species also bring dangerous pathogens and physically interfere with existing aquatic life. Invasive species include sea lampreys, zebra mussels, smallmouth bass, European green crab, vase tunicate, and sea squirts.
 | Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lampsilis fasciola . |
 | This article needs additional citations for verification .(April 2013) |
