Ambleminae is a

subfamily In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...

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 ...

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 ...

. They are found throughout much of eastern

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...

south to

Central America Central America ( es, América Central or ) is a subregion of the Americas. Its boundaries are defined as bordering the United States to the north, Colombia to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. ...

, although fossils are also known from

Siberia Siberia ( ; rus, Сибирь, r=Sibir', p=sʲɪˈbʲirʲ, a=Ru-Сибирь.ogg) is an extensive geographical region, constituting all of North Asia, from the Ural Mountains in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east. It has been a part of ...

. Some species have also been introduced to

East Asia East Asia is the eastern region of Asia, which is defined in both geographical and ethno-cultural terms. The modern states of East Asia include China, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan. China, North Korea, South Korea and ...

. They are the most speciose radiation of the Unionidae, with more than 300 species. Fossils of this group date back to the

Late Cretaceous The Late Cretaceous (100.5–66 Ma) is the younger of two epochs into which the Cretaceous Period is divided in the geologic time scale. Rock strata from this epoch form the Upper Cretaceous Series. The Cretaceous is named after ''creta'', the ...

Systematics

The following classification is based on MolluscaBase and the MUSSEL Project database: * Tribe Amblemini Rafinesque, 1820 ** Genus '' Amblema'' Rafinesque, 1820 ** Genus ''

Plectomerus ''Plectomerus'' is a monotypic genus of freshwater mussels in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. The sole species in the genus is ''Plectomerus dombeyanus''. Its common name is bankclimber, as it can be found buried in steep slopes a consid ...

'' Conrad, 1853 ** Genus '' Regianaia'' D. C. Campbell & Lydeard, 2012 * Tribe Lampsilini Ihering, 1901 ** Genus ''

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 ...

'' 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 ''Cyprogenia'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae. Species within the genus ''Cyprogenia'' *'' Cyprogenia aberti'' (edible naiad) * '' Cyprogenia stegaria'' (fanshell) Unionids are one of the mos ...

'' Agassiz, 1852 ** Genus ''

Cyrtonaias ''Cyrtonaias'' 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 ...

'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 ** Genus ''

Delphinonaias ''Delphinonaias'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the subfamily Ambleminae of the family Unionidae The Unionidae are a family of freshwater mussels, the largest in the order Unionida, the bivalve molluscs some ...

'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 ** Genus ''

Disconaias ''Disconaias'' 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 ...

'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 ** Genus ''

Dromus ''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 i ...

'' C. T. Simpson, 1900 ** Genus ''

Ellipsaria ''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 o ...

'' Rafinesque, 1820 ** Genus ''

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 ex ...

'' Rafinesque, 1831 ** Genus '' Friersonia'' Ortmann, 1912 ** Genus ''

Glebula ''Glebula rotundata'', the round pearlshell, is a freshwater mussel, 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 ...

'' Conrad, 1853 ** Genus '' Hamiota'' Roe & Hartfield, 2005 ** Genus ''

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 t ...

'' Rafinesque, 1820 ** Genus '' Leaunio'' Watters, 2018 ** Genus ''

Lemiox The birdwing pearlymussel (''Lemiox rimosus'') 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%.

'' Rafinesque, 1831 ** Genus †'' Lenelliptio'' C. M. Kolesnikov, 1980 (

) ** Genus ''

Ligumia ''Ligumia'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, Aquatic animal, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae. MolluscaBase eds. (2021). MolluscaBase. Ligumia Swainson, 1840. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.mari ...

'' Swainson, 1840 ** Genus '' Medionidus'' C. T. Simpson, 1900 ** Genus ''

Obliquaria ''Obliquaria reflexa'', common name the threehorn wartyback or three-horn wartyback, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic animal, aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. References

Unionidae Bivalves ...

'' Rafinesque, 1820 ** Genus ''

Obovaria ''Obovaria'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. There are at least six described species in ''Obovaria'' at present, all of which are found in the United States. ''Obovaria subr ...

'' Rafinesque, 1819 ** Genus '' Ortmanniana'' Frierson, 1927 ** Genus '' Pachynaias'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 ** Genus '' Paetulunio'' Watters, 2018 ** Genus ''

Potamilus ''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 ...

'' Rafinesque, 1818 ** Genus ''

Ptychobranchus ''Ptychobranchus'' is a genus of freshwater bivalve, freshwater mussels in the family Unionidae. Species of this genus package their larvae, known as Glochidium, glochidia, in conglutinates that resemble prey items such as Juvenile fish, fish fr ...

'' C. T. Simpson, 1900 ** Genus '' Sagittunio'' Watters, 2018 ** Genus ''

Toxolasma ''Toxolasma'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, Aquatic animal, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Species within the genus ''Toxolasma''

* ''Toxolasma corvuncvulus'' (southern purple lilliput) * ''Toxolasma ...

'' Rafinesque, 1831 ** Genus '' Truncilla'' Rafinesque, 1819 ** Genus ''

Venustaconcha ''Venustaconcha'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, Aquatic animal, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae. Species Species within the genus ''Venustaconcha'' include: * ''Venustaconcha ellipsiformis'' * ''Venustaconcha pleasii'' Ref ...

'' Frierson, 1927 ** Genus ''

Villosa ''Villosa'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve molluscs 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 simp ...

'' Frierson, 1927 * Tribe Pleurobemini Hannibal, 1912 ** Genus ''

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, th ...

'' Rafinesque, 1819 ** Genus ''

Elliptoideus The purple bankclimber (''Elliptoideus sloatianus'') is a rare and endangered species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic animal, aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This species is Endemism, endemic to the United St ...

'' Frierson, 1927 ** Genus '' Eurynia'' Rafinesque, 1819 ** Genus ''

Fusconaia ''Fusconaia'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae. They are native to North America. Species within the genus ''Fusconaia'' Species include: * '' Fusconaia askewi'' * '' Fusconaia burkei'' (Tapere ...

'' C. T. Simpson, 1900 ** Genus '' Hemistena'' Rafinesque, 1820 ** Genus '' Parvaspina'' Perkins, N. A. Johnson & Gangloff, 2017 ** Genus '' Plethobasus'' C. T. Simpson, 1900 ** Genus ''

Pleurobema ''Pleurobema'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Species Species within the genus ''Pleurobema'' include: * '' Pleurobema altum'' (Highnut) * '' Pleurobema avellanum'' (Hazel ...

'' Rafinesque, 1819 ** Genus ''

Pleuronaia ''Pleuronaia'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. They are native to the United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States ...

'' Frierson, 1927 * Tribe Popenaiadini Heard & Guckert, 1970 ** Genus '' Barynaias'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 ** Genus '' Martensnaias'' Frierson, 1927 ** Genus '' Micronaias'' C. T. Simpson, 1900 ** Genus '' Nephritica'' Frierson, 1927 ** Genus '' Nephronaias'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 ** Genus ''

Popenaias ''Popenaias'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve molluscs in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Species Species within the genus ''Popenaias'' include: * '' Popenaias buckleyi'' * '' Popenaias metallica'' * ''Popenaias pope ...

'' Frierson, 1927 ** Genus ''

Psoronaias ''Psoronaias'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, Aquatic animal, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the subfamily Ambleminae of the family Unionidae, the river mussels.MolluscaBase eds. (2022). MolluscaBase. Psoronaias Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894. Accesse ...

'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 ** Genus ''

Psorula ''Psorula'' is a fungal genus in the family Psoraceae. It is a monotypic genus, containing the single lichen species ''Psorula rufonigra''. The genus was circumscribed In geometry, the circumscribed circle or circumcircle of a polygon is a c ...

'' F. Haas, 1930 ** Genus '' Reticulatus'' Frierson, 1927 ** Genus '' Sphenonaias'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 * Tribe Quadrulini Ihering, 1901 ** Genus '' Cyclonaias'' Pilsbry, 1922 ** Genus †'' Eonaias'' W. B. Marshall, 1929 (

Pliocene The Pliocene ( ; also Pleiocene) is the epoch in the geologic time scale that extends from 5.333 million to 2.58Texas Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...

) ** Genus ''

Megalonaias ''Megalonaias'' is a genus of bivalves belonging to 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 ran ...

'' Utterback, 1915 ** Genus †'' Proparreysia'' Pilsbry, 1921 (Late Cretaceous of

Colorado Colorado (, other variants) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of t ...

) ** Genus †'' Protamblema'' Modell, 1957 (Late Cretaceous of

Wyoming Wyoming () is a U.S. state, state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho to the west, Utah to the south ...

) ** Genus ''

Quadrula ''Quadrula'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae native to rivers of the American Midwest and mid-south. All have thick nacreous shells with well-developed hinge teeth, many also with external she ...

'' Rafinesque, 1820 ** Genus ''

Theliderma ''Theliderma'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae. They are native to North America. This genus is sometimes classified in an expanded ''Quadrula''. Species within the genus ''Theliderma'' Note: ...

'' Swainson, 1840 ** Genus '' Tritogonia'' Agassiz, 1852 ** Genus ''

Uniomerus ''Uniomerus'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, Aquatic animal, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Species within the genus ''Uniomerus'' * ''Uniomerus caroliniana'' * ''Uniomerus columbensis'' * ''Uniomerus dec ...

'' Conrad, 1853

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q24283197 Unionidae Protostome subfamilies Taxa named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque