Epioblasma capsaeformis
| Oyster mussel | |
|---|---|
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| Epioblasma capsaeformis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Unionoida |
| Family: | Unionidae |
| Genus: | Epioblasma |
| Species: | E. capsaeformis |
| Binomial name | |
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Epioblasma capsaeformis (I. Lea, 1834) |
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| Synonyms | |
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Dysnomia capsaeformis I. Lea, 1834 |
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Dysnomia capsaeformis I. Lea, 1834
The oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis) is a rare species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae. This aquatic bivalve mollusk is native to the Tennessee River SystemKentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Virginia in the United States. It has been extirpated from the states of Georgia and North Carolina. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
This mussel was once widely distributed and common in the Cumberland and Tennessee River drainages, including many tributaries. It has declined 80% from its historical abundance. It is now extirpated from the Cumberland River system and the main artery of the Tennessee River. It remains in the Nolichucky River of Tennessee and the Clinch River in Tennessee and Virginia. Specimens once classified as this species that remain in the Duck River in Tennessee have now been classified as a separate species, Epioblasma ahlstedti.
This mussel is elliptical or obovate in shape and reaches a maximum length of 70 mm. The posterior end of males protrudes slightly, while females are more rounded. The periostracum is subshiny, yellowish green, with green rays over the entire shell. The nacre color is blueish white to creamy.
Like other freshwater mussels, this species is reproduces by releasing its larvae, termed glochidia, which lodge in the gills of fish to develop into juvenile mussels. Host fish species for this mussel include wounded darter (Etheostoma vulneratum), redline darter (E. rufilineatum), bluebreast darter (Etheostoma camarum), dusky darter (Percina sciera), banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae), black sculpin (Cottus baileyi), and mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi). This mussel is known as a long term brooder, or bradytictic, meaning it spawns in late summer or fall and releases it's larvae in early spring.
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Wikipedia