Ptychobranchus occidentalis

Ptychobranchus occidentalis is a species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. It is endemic to the United States,[1] where it is known from Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Its common name is Ouachita kidneyshell.[2]

Ptychobranchus occidentalis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Unionida
Family: Unionidae
Genus: Ptychobranchus
Species:
P. occidentalis
Binomial name
Ptychobranchus occidentalis
(Conrad, 1836)

This mussel packages its larvae, or glochidia, in a membranous conglutinate which resembles a small prey item. When a fish comes to investigate this lure, the glochidia attach to its gills and use it as a host during their development.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Bogan, A.E. (1996). "Ptychobranchus occidentalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1996: e.T18827A8645284. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T18827A8645284.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. ^ Ptychobranchus occidentalis. NatureServe. 2012.
  3. ^ Orangethroat darter (Etheostoma spectabile) with the conglutinates of Ouachita kidneyshell, (Ptychobranchus occidentalis). Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society.