Lithophaga aristata, or the Scissor date mussel, is a species of bivalve mollusc in the family Mytilidae. It can be found along the Atlantic coast of North America, ranging from North Carolina to Texas and the West Indies.[1]

Lithophaga aristata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Mytilida
Family: Mytilidae
Genus: Lithophaga
Species:
L. aristata
Binomial name
Lithophaga aristata
(Dillwyn, 1817)
Synonyms
  • Leiosolenus aristatus (Dillwyn, 1817)
  • Mytilus aristatus Dillwyn, 1817

Distribution edit

Lithophaga aristata is known from North Carolina, Florida and the Caribbean.[2] However, it is considered an invasive species in various regions of the globe, and is believed to be mainly dispersed through ballast water.[2][3][4] Records of its occurrence outside the native range include the Brazilian coast, in the states of Ceará, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Santa Catarina;[4] Cape Verde (Santo Antão island);[5] Mauritania, Senegal and Angola.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ Abbott, R.T. & Morris, P.A. A Field Guide to Shells: Atlantic and Gulf Coasts and the West Indies. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1995. 20-21.
  2. ^ a b Simone, L. R. L.; Gonçalves, E. P. (2006). "Anatomical study on Myoforceps aristatus, an invasive boring bivalve in S.E. Brazilian coast (Mytilidae)". Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia. 46 (6). doi:10.1590/S0031-10492006000600001.
  3. ^ Turner, R. D.; Boss, K. J. (1962). "The genus Lithophaga in the Western Atlantic". Johnsonia. 4: 81–116.
  4. ^ a b Cavallari, D. C.; Gonçalves, E. P.; Amaral, V. S. (2012). "New occurrences of Myoforceps aristatus (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) in the Brazilian coast" (PDF). Strombus. 19 (1–2). São Paulo, Brazil: 23–27. ISSN 1983-2214.
  5. ^ Lopes, E. P (2012). "Leiosolenus aristatus (Dillwyn, 1817), new to the Cape Verde Islands (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Mytilidae)" (PDF). Zoologia Caboverdiana. 2 (2). Sociedade Caboverdiana de Zoologia: 71–73. ISSN 2074-5737.
  6. ^ Ardovini, R.; Cossignani, T. (2004). West African seashells (including Azores, Madeira and Canary Is.). L’Informatore Piceno, Ancona. pp. 319.