Pegias

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Pegias
Pegias fabula.jpg
A live individual of Pegias fabula
Status TNC G1.svg
Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Unionida
Family: Unionidae
Tribe: Anodontini
Genus: Pegias
Simpson, 1900
Species:
P. fabula
Binomial name
Pegias fabula
(I. Lea, 1838)

Pegias is a monotypic genus [3] of freshwater mussels in the family Unionidae. This genus contains the single species Pegias fabula, known commonly as the littlewing pearlymussel.

Contents

Distribution

The species is native to the Cumberland and Tennessee River systems in the United States, where it is present in streams in North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. [2] It has been a federally listed endangered species of the United States since 1988. [4] [5]

Description

This mussel is up to 3.8 centimetres (1.5 in) long by 1.3 centimetres (0.51 in) wide. The outer surface of the shell is light greenish or dark yellowish, but it is often eroded off, leaving the shell chalky whitish in color. [3]

Threat of extinction

This mussel has been extirpated from most streams where it once occurred, including any in the state of Alabama. There are between six and twenty remaining populations, most of which contain fewer than 500 individuals. [2]

The main threat to the species is bad water quality, especially due to acidic mine drainage. Other threats include oil and gas exploration, road construction, channeling of the rivers, logging, agriculture, and pesticides. [2]

Related Research Articles

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

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<i>Dromus dromas</i> Species of bivalve

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<i>Ellipsaria lineolata</i> Species of bivalve

Ellipsaria lineolata is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This is the sole species in the monotypic genus Ellipsaria . This species is native to the drainage systems of the Mississippi River, the Mobile River, the Tennessee River, and the Cumberland River in the United States. It exists in the midwestern United States, and has also been observed in the east coast and as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. The common name of Ellipsaria lineolata is the Butterfly Mussel.

<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.

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

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<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.

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<i>Medionidus acutissimus</i> Species of bivalve

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<i>Medionidus penicillatus</i> Species of bivalve

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<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>Pleurobema oviforme</i> Species of bivalve

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The winged mapleleaf, also known as false mapleleaf, or hickory nut shell, and with the scientific name Quadrula fragosa, is a species of freshwater mussel. It is an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. It is endemic to the United States.

<i>Toxolasma cylindrellus</i> Species of bivalve

Toxolasma cylindrellus, the pale lilliput naiad, pale lilliput pearly mussel, or pale lilliput, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Its host is the northern studfish.

<i>Pleuronaia dolabelloides</i> Species of bivalve

Pleuronaia dolabelloides, the slab-sided naiad, slab-sided pearly mussel, or slabside pearlymussel, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This species was formerly classified under the genus Lexingtonia.

References

  1. Cummings, K.; Cordeiro, J. (2012). "Pegias fabula". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2012: e.T16479A1074877. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T16479A1074877.en . Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 NatureServe (4 August 2023). "Pegias fabula". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe . Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  3. 1 2 USFWS. Pegias fabula Recovery Plan. September 1989.
  4. "Littlewing pearlymussel (Pegias fabula)". Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  5. 53 FR 45861