''Lampsilis streckeri'', the speckled pocketbook, is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
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 ...
, the river mussels. It is
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...
to
Arkansas
Arkansas ( ) is a landlocked state in the South Central United States. It is bordered by Missouri to the north, Tennessee and Mississippi to the east, Louisiana to the south, and Texas and Oklahoma to the west. Its name is from the Osage ...
in the United States, where it is threatened by habitat loss. It is a federally listed
endangered species
An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and inv ...
of the United States.
This mussel is about 8 centimeters long. It is dark yellow to brown and has
chevron
Chevron (often relating to V-shaped patterns) may refer to:
Science and technology
* Chevron (aerospace), sawtooth patterns on some jet engines
* Chevron (anatomy), a bone
* ''Eulithis testata'', a moth
* Chevron (geology), a fold in rock lay ...
-shaped spots and chainlike rays. It is
sexually dimorphic
Sexual dimorphism is the condition where the sexes of the same animal and/or plant species exhibit different morphological characteristics, particularly characteristics not directly involved in reproduction. The condition occurs in most ani ...
, the females being more rounded at the posterior.
When this species was placed on the Endangered Species List it was limited to a six-mile stretch of the Middle Fork of the
Little Red River in Arkansas. The
dam
A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, a ...
ming of the river to form the Greers Ferry Reservoir changed the hydrology of the river, altering the habitat.
[
Since its listing several additional populations have been discovered in the river.]
See also
* Yellowcheek darter: Also endemic to the Little Red River (Arkansas)
References
External links
Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry
streckeri
Endemic fauna of Arkansas
Molluscs of the United States
Bivalves described in 1927
ESA endangered species
Taxonomy articles created by Polbot
Little Red River (Arkansas)
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