Plectomerus

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Plectomerus
Naturalis Biodiversity Center - ZMA.MOLL.418878 - Plectomerus dombeyanus (Humboldt & Bonpland, 1827) - Unionidae - Mollusc shell.jpeg
Status TNC G5.svg
Secure  (NatureServe) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Unionida
Family: Unionidae
Tribe: Amblemini
Genus: Plectomerus
Conrad, 1853
Species:
P. dombeyanus
Binomial name
Plectomerus dombeyanus
(Valenciennes in Humboldt & Bonpland, 1827)
Synonyms
  • Amblema dombeyanus
  • Quadrula trapezoides

Plectomerus is a monotypic genus of freshwater mussels in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. [3] The sole species in the genus is Plectomerus dombeyanus. Its common name is bankclimber, as it can be found buried in steep slopes a considerable distance from water. [4]

Contents

Distribution

This species is native to the Southeastern United States, from Texas to Florida, ranging as far north as Illinois. [2] [4]

Description

This mussel is not sexually dimorphic; the sexes appear the same. The shell is somewhat rhomboidal shaped, up to 150 millimetres (5.9 in) long. The shell is greenish brown to brown, darkening to black with age, and its nacre is usually deep purple.

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References

  1. Cummings, K. (2012). "Plectomerus dombeyanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2012: e.T173069A1377669. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T173069A1377669.en . Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Plectomerus dombeyanus". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  3. "Mussel of the month". MUSSELpdb. The Mussel Project. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Bankclimber Plectomerus dombeyanus". ResearchGate. Retrieved 23 October 2022.