Ptychobranchus subtentum, also known as the fluted kidneyshell, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.
Ptychobranchus subtentum | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Bivalvia |
Order: | Unionida |
Family: | Unionidae |
Genus: | Ptychobranchus |
Species: | P. subtentum
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Binomial name | |
Ptychobranchus subtentum (Say, 1825)
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This species is endemic to the drainages of the Cumberland River and the Tennessee River in the United States.[2]
Reproduction
editAll Unionidae are known to use the gills, fins, or skin of a host fish for nutrients during the larval glochidia stage. Ptychobranchus subtentum enclose their larvae in a membranous capsule that resembles the pupae of black flies. When a fish bites the capsule bait, the Ptychobranchus subtentum larvae are forced out through the mimic capsule's "eyes" and then attach to the gills of the host fish.[3]
Host species of this bradytictic mussel include Etheostoma obeyense, Etheostoma rufilineatum, Etheostoma flabellare, Etheostoma caeruleum and Cottus carolinae.[2]
References
edit- ^ Bogan, A.E. (1996). "Ptychobranchus subtentum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1996: e.T18828A8645314. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T18828A8645314.en. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ a b c NatureServe (31 May 2024). "Ptychobranchus subtentus". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ M. C. Barnhart (1998–2006). "Fluted kidneyshell: Ptychobranchus subtentum". Unio Gallery.