Ligumia recta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ligumia recta |
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Ligumia
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recta
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Ligumia recta is a type of freshwater mussel. It's an aquatic (water-living) bivalve mollusk. Think of it like a clam or oyster that lives in rivers and lakes! This special mussel belongs to the family called Unionidae, also known as river mussels.
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Discovering the Black Sandshell
The Ligumia recta is often called the black sandshell. This name comes from its dark shell and where it likes to live. It was first described in 1819 by a scientist named Jean-Baptiste Lamarck.
Where the Black Sandshell Lives
The black sandshell lives in eastern North America. You can find it in the rivers and streams of the Mississippi River system. It also lives in the areas that drain into the Great Lakes. Some populations are found in rivers flowing into the Gulf Coast.
These mussels need clean, flowing water to survive. They often bury themselves in the sand or gravel at the bottom of rivers.
What the Black Sandshell Looks Like
The black sandshell can grow quite large. It can be up to 10 inches (25 cm) long! That's about the length of a standard ruler.
Its shell is usually heavy and thick. It has a long, somewhat rectangular shape. The shell is also a bit rounded, like a cylinder. This strong shell helps protect the soft body inside.
How Mussels Help the Environment
Freshwater mussels like the black sandshell are very important. They act like natural filters for rivers and lakes. As they breathe and eat, they filter out tiny particles from the water. This helps to keep the water clean for other animals and plants.
Mussels are also a food source for some animals. They are an important part of the ecosystem (the living and non-living things in an area).
Conservation Status
The black sandshell is listed as Near Threatened (NT) by the IUCN. This means it might become endangered in the future. Protecting their habitats, like clean rivers, is very important.
