Oyster mussel | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Bivalvia |
Order: | Unionida |
Family: | Unionidae |
Genus: | Epioblasma |
Species: | E. capsaeformis |
Binomial name | |
Epioblasma capsaeformis (I. Lea, 1834) | |
Synonyms | |
Dysnomia capsaeformis I. Lea, 1834 |
The oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis) 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. [4] It has been extirpated from the states of Georgia [5] and North Carolina. [6] It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States. [2]
This mussel was once widely distributed [7] and common. [5] It has declined 80% from its historical abundance. [1] It is now extirpated from the Cumberland River system and the main artery of the Tennessee River. It remains in the Nolichucky River of Tennessee and the Clinch River in Tennessee and Virginia. [7] Specimens once classified as this species that remain in the Duck River in Tennessee have now been classified as a separate species, Epioblasma ahlstedti . [8] [9]
This mussel is elliptical or obovate in shape and reaches a maximum length of 70 mm. The posterior end of males protrudes slightly, while females are more rounded. The periostracum is sunshiny, yellowish green, with green rays over the entire shell. The nacre color is bluish-white to creamy. [4]
Like other freshwater mussels, this species is reproduces by releasing its larvae, termed glochidia, which lodge in the gills of fish to develop into juvenile mussels. [10] Host fish species for this mussel include wounded darter (Etheostoma vulneratum), redline darter (E. rufilineatum), bluebreast darter (Etheostoma camarum), dusky darter (Percina sciera), banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae), black sculpin (Cottus baileyi), and mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi). [7] This mussel is known as a long term brooder, or bradytictic, meaning it spawns in late summer or fall and releases its larvae in early spring. [4]
The main threat to this species is habitat alteration such as channelization and impoundments of waterways, increased silt, and pollution. [5]
This mussel is propagated in captivity. [10] Many juveniles have been released into appropriate habitat. [7]
The dwarf wedgemussel is an endangered species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.
The cracking pearlymussel is an endangered species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae.
Alasmidonta atropurpurea, common name Cumberland elktoe, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.
Dromus dromas, the dromedary pearlymussel or dromedary naiad, is a rare species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae. This aquatic bivalve mollusk is native to the Cumberland and Tennessee River systems in the United States, where it has experienced a large population decline. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
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.
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.
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 stewardsonii, the Cumberland leafshell or Steward's pearly mussel, is an extinct species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae.
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.
Fusconaia cuneolus, the fine-rayed pigtoe pearly mussel or fine-rayed pigtoe, is a species of bivalve in the family Unionidae. It is native to Tennessee, Alabama, and Virginia in the United States, in each of which its population has declined severely. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
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.
The birdwing pearlymussel is a rare species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This aquatic bivalve is native to Tennessee and Virginia in the United States. Its range has declined over 90%. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
Medionidus penicillatus, the gulf moccasinshell, is a rare species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This aquatic bivalve mollusk is native to Alabama, Florida, and Georgia in the United States, where it is in decline and has been extirpated from most of the rivers it once inhabited. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
Obovaria retusa is a rare species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Its common names include golf stick pearly mussel
The triangular kidneyshell is a species of freshwater mussel, in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. It is endemic to Alabama in the United States, where it is known from several rivers and streams in the Mobile River Basin. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
Theliderma intermedia, the Cumberland monkeyface pearly mussel or Cumberland monkeyface, is a species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This aquatic bivalve mollusk is native to Tennessee and Virginia in the United States. Historically widespread in the upper Tennessee River system, it populations have been reduced by habitat destruction and pollution. It now only occurs in two tributaries: the Duck and Powell Rivers. It is a federally listed endangered species.
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.
Epioblasma walkeri, common name the tan riffleshell, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.
The bluebreast darter is a small species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is endemic to the eastern United States from New York and Illinois to Tennessee and North Carolina.
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.
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