Fine-rayed pigtoe pearly mussel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fine-rayed pigtoe pearly mussel |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Fusconaia
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| Species: |
cuneolus
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The fine-rayed pigtoe pearly mussel (scientific name: Fusconaia cuneolus) is a special type of freshwater mussel. It is a bivalve, which means it has two shells that can open and close. This mussel belongs to the family Unionidae, also known as freshwater mussels or river mussels.
This unique creature lives in rivers in the United States. You can find it in Tennessee, Alabama, and Virginia. Sadly, the number of these mussels has dropped a lot. Because of this, the fine-rayed pigtoe pearly mussel is now listed as an endangered species in the United States. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever.
Where Does This Mussel Live?
The fine-rayed pigtoe pearly mussel needs clean, flowing water to survive. It usually lives in rivers and streams. Today, the largest group of these mussels lives in the Clinch River. This river flows through parts of Virginia and Tennessee. Protecting the Clinch River is very important for the future of this mussel.
How Do Fine-Rayed Pigtoe Mussels Reproduce?
Like other freshwater mussels, the fine-rayed pigtoe has an interesting way of reproducing.
- Adult mussels release tiny young ones called glochidia into the water.
- These glochidia are like very small larvae.
- They need to attach themselves to a fish to grow.
- Once attached to a fish's gills or fins, the glochidia develop into tiny juvenile mussels.
- After a while, these young mussels drop off the fish and settle on the riverbed.
- There, they grow into adult mussels.
Many different types of fish can be hosts for these young mussels. Some of these fish include:
- Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)
- River chub (Nocomis micropogon)
- Stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum)
- Telescope shiner (Notropis telescopus)
- Tennessee shiner (Notropis leuciodus)
- White shiner (Luxilus albeolus)
- Whitetail shiner (Cyprinella galactura)
- Mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi)
Related Species
Scientists study how different species are related to each other. The fine-rayed pigtoe pearly mussel is thought to be most closely related to another mussel called Fusconaia cor. By understanding these relationships, scientists can learn more about how mussels evolved and how to protect them.
