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Unionidae
The Unionidae are a family of freshwater mussels, the largest in the order Unionida, the bivalve molluscs sometimes known as river mussels, or simply as unionids. The range of distribution for this family is world-wide. It is at its most diverse in North America, with about 297 recognised taxa, but China and Southeast Asia also support very diverse faunas. Freshwater mussels occupy a wide range of habitats, but most often occupy lotic waters, i.e. flowing water such as rivers, streams and creeks. Origin and early diversification The recent phylogenetic study reveals that the Unionidae most likely originated in Southeast and East Asia in the Jurassic, with the earliest expansions into North America and Africa (since the mid-Cretaceous) followed by the colonization of Europe and India (since the Paleocene). Life history Unionidae burrow into the substrate, with their posterior margins exposed. They pump water through the incurrent aperture, obtaining oxygen and food. They remove ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Freshwater Mussel
Freshwater bivalves are one kind of freshwater mollusc, along with freshwater snails. They are bivalves that live in fresh water as opposed to salt water, which is the main habitat type for bivalves. The majority of species of bivalve molluscs live in the sea, but in addition, a number of different families live in fresh water (and in some cases, also in brackish water). These families belong to two different evolutionary lineages (freshwater mussels and freshwater clams), and the two groups are not closely related. Freshwater bivalves have a simple morphology that varies among taxa, and are distributed around most regions of the world. Species in the two groups vary greatly in size. Some pea clams (''Pisidium'' species) have an adult size of only 3 mm. In contrast, one of the largest species of freshwater bivalves is the swan mussel, in the family Unionidae; it can grow to a length of 20 cm, and usually lives in lakes or slow rivers. Freshwater pearl mussels are eco ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Elliptio
''Elliptio'' is a genus of medium- to large-sized freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, commonly known as the unionids, freshwater mussels or naiads. In contrast with many other groups of American Unionidae, the ''Elliptio'' species reach their greatest diversity in the Atlantic-draining rivers of Georgia and the Carolinas, and large parts of Florida. One species ranges north into New England and southern Canada, and two occur in the interior Mississippi drainages. Most ''Elliptio'' species have elongated shells, with silvery or purplish interior nacre beneath a thick periostracum, and few reach large size or thickness. The genus name ''Elliptio'' refers to the elliptical shape of these bivalves. As of 2003 there are 36 species in the genus. Species * '' Elliptio ahenea'' * '' Elliptio angustata'' – Carolina lance * '' Elliptio arca'' – Alabama spike * '' Elliptio buckleyi'' * '' Elliptio chipolaensis'' – Chipola slabshell * ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Unionida
Unionida is a monophyletic order of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve molluscs.Bieler R., Carter J.G. & Coan E.V. (2010). ''Classification of Bivalve families''. pp. 113–133, in: Bouchet P. & Rocroi J.-P. (2010), ''Nomenclator of Bivalve Families''. Malacologia 52(2): 1–184. The order includes most of the larger freshwater mussels, including the freshwater pearl mussels. The most common families are the Unionidae and the Margaritiferidae. All have in common a larval stage that is temporarily parasitic on fish, nacreous shells, high in organic matter, that may crack upon drying out, and siphons too short to permit the animal to live deeply buried in sediment. Taxonomy Fossil evidence suggests a Permian origin for the order, making it incredibly ancient and a survivor of the Permian-Triassic mass extinction. Morphology The shells of these mussels are variable in shape, but usually equivalve and elongate. They have solid, nacreous valves with a pearly interior, radia ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Actinonaias
''Actinonaias'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae The Unionidae are a family of freshwater mussels, the largest in the order Unionida, the bivalve molluscs sometimes known as river mussels, or simply as unionids. The range of distribution for this family is world-wide. It is at its most diverse ..., the river mussels. Species Species within the genus ''Actinonais'' include: * Mucket '' Actinonaias ligamentina'' * '' Actinonaias pectorosa'' Unionidae Bivalve genera Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{Unionidae-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bivalve
Bivalvia (), in previous centuries referred to as the Lamellibranchiata and Pelecypoda, is a class of marine and freshwater molluscs that have laterally compressed bodies enclosed by a shell consisting of two hinged parts. As a group, bivalves have no head and they lack some usual molluscan organs, like the radula and the odontophore. They include the clams, oysters, cockles, mussels, scallops, and numerous other families that live in saltwater, as well as a number of families that live in freshwater. The majority are filter feeders. The gills have evolved into ctenidia, specialised organs for feeding and breathing. Most bivalves bury themselves in sediment, where they are relatively safe from predation. Others lie on the sea floor or attach themselves to rocks or other hard surfaces. Some bivalves, such as the scallops and file shells, can swim. The shipworms bore into wood, clay, or stone and live inside these substances. The shell of a bivalve is composed of calc ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lampsilis
''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. Some species, notably ''Lampsilis ovata'' (pocketbook mussel) use aggressive mimicry to lure large predatory fish by using their mantle as a lure, ejecting larvae into the mouth of the fish when they strike. The larvae attach to the gills, using the fish's blood as food for several weeks. Species * '' Lampsilis abrupta'' (pink mucket) * '' Lampsilis binominata'' (lined pocketbook) * '' Lampsilis bracteata'' * '' Lampsilis cardium'' * '' Lampsilis cariosa'' (yellow lampmussel) * '' Lampsilis dolabraeformis'' * ''Lampsilis fasciola'' (wavy-rayed lampmussel) * '' Lampsilis floridensis'' (Florida sandshell) * '' Lampsilis fullerkati'' (Waccamaw fatmucket) * '' Lampsilis higginsii'' (Higgins' eye pearly mussel) * '' Lampsilis ornata'' * ''Lampsilis ovata'' (pocketbook mussel) * '' Lampsilis powellii'' (Arkansas fatmucket) * '' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Epioblasma
''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. 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. Taxonomy of the genus ''Epioblasma'' Note: Taxa with a " †" symbol are extinct due to human activity *Subgen ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lampsilini
Ambleminae is a subfamily of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae. They are found throughout much of eastern North America south to Central America, although fossils are also known from Siberia. Some species have also been introduced to East Asia. They are the most speciose radiation of the Unionidae, with more than 300 species. Fossils of this group date back to the Late Cretaceous. Systematics The following classification is based on MolluscaBase and the MUSSEL Project database: * Tribe Amblemini Rafinesque, 1820 ** Genus '' Amblema'' Rafinesque, 1820 ** Genus ''Plectomerus'' Conrad, 1853 ** Genus '' Regianaia'' D. C. Campbell & Lydeard, 2012 * Tribe Lampsilini Ihering, 1901 ** Genus ''Actinonaias'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 ** Genus '' Arotonaias'' E. von Martens, 1900 ** Genus '' Atlanticoncha'' C. H. Smith, J. M. Pfeiffer & N. A. Johnson, 2020 ** Genus '' Cambarunio'' Watters, 2018 ** Genus ''Cyprogenia'' Agassiz, 1852 ** Genus ''Cyrtonaias'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ambleminae
Ambleminae is a subfamily of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae. They are found throughout much of eastern North America south to Central America, although fossils are also known from Siberia. Some species have also been introduced to East Asia. They are the most speciose radiation of the Unionidae, with more than 300 species. Fossils of this group date back to the Late Cretaceous. Systematics The following classification is based on MolluscaBase and the MUSSEL Project database: * Tribe Amblemini Rafinesque, 1820 ** Genus '' Amblema'' Rafinesque, 1820 ** Genus '' Plectomerus'' Conrad, 1853 ** Genus '' Regianaia'' D. C. Campbell & Lydeard, 2012 * Tribe Lampsilini Ihering, 1901 ** Genus ''Actinonaias'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 ** Genus '' Arotonaias'' E. von Martens, 1900 ** Genus '' Atlanticoncha'' C. H. Smith, J. M. Pfeiffer & N. A. Johnson, 2020 ** Genus '' Cambarunio'' Watters, 2018 ** Genus '' Cyprogenia'' Agassiz, 1852 ** Genus ''Cyrtonaias'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 18 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pocketbook Mussel
''Lampsilis ovata'', or pocketbook mussel, is a species of freshwater mussel, a bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This species is endemic to eastern North America. This species uses aggressive mimicry to lure large predatory fish such as the large-mouth bass The largemouth bass (''Micropterus salmoides'') is a carnivorous freshwater gamefish in the Centrarchidae ( sunfish) family, a species of black bass native to the eastern and central United States, southeastern Canada and northern Mexico, but ..., using their mantle, which resembles a fish, as a lure and ejecting larvae into the mouth of the fish when they strike. The larvae attach to the gills, using the fish's blood as food for several weeks, without apparent harm to the fish, and then drop off and start the cycle again. References Molluscs of the United States ovata Bivalves described in 1817 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{Unionidae-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Potamilus
''Potamilus'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Species Species within the genus ''Potamilus'' include: * ''Potamilus alatus'' (pink heelsplitter) * ''Potamilus amphichaenus'' (Texas heelsplitter) * ''Potamilus capax'' (fat pocketbook pearly mussel) * ''Potamilus inflatus'' (inflated heelsplitter) * ''Potamilus metnecktayi'' (Salina mucket) * ''Potamilus ohiensis'' (pink papershell) * ''Potamilus purpuratus ''Potamilus'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae The Unionidae are a family of freshwater mussels, the largest in the order Unionida, the bivalve molluscs sometimes known as river mussels, or s ...'' (bleufer) References Bivalve genera Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{Unionidae-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Glochidium
The glochidium (plural glochidia) is a microscopic larval stage of some freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the families Unionidae and Margaritiferidae, the river mussels and European freshwater pearl mussels. These larvae are tiny and are typically between 100 and 200 micrometers, or approximately a third of the size of a grain of salt. They can be round or have hooks, attaching to the gills, fins and scales of fish (for example to the gills of a fish host species) for a period before it detaches and falls to the substrate and takes on the typical form of a juvenile mussel. Since a fish is active and free-swimming, this process helps distribute the mussel species to potential areas of habitat that it could not reach any other way. Before the origin of this larval form was understood, it was described as "parasitic worms" on the fish host, although under normal circumstances, glochidia do not harm fish. Overexposure or heavy infections of glochidia may however g ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
