Tubercled blossom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tubercled blossom |
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_-_Unionidae_-_Mollusc_shell.jpeg) |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Epioblasma
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| Species: |
torulosa
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The tubercled blossom (Epioblasma torulosa) is a special kind of freshwater mussel. It is a mollusk, which means it's related to snails and clams. These mussels live in rivers in eastern North America. Sadly, they are in big trouble. Many of them have disappeared. In fact, some types of tubercled blossoms are now completely extinct. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service even removed two kinds from the list of protected animals because they are gone forever.
Where the Tubercled Blossom Lives
This mussel used to live in many rivers. You could find it in the Cumberland River, Ohio River, St. Lawrence River, and Tennessee River areas. Tubercled blossoms like shallow, fast-moving parts of rivers. They prefer areas with sand and gravel at the bottom. These spots are called riffle zones.
Why the Tubercled Blossom is in Trouble
The main reason these mussels are disappearing is habitat destruction. This means their homes in the rivers are being ruined. Things like pollution and too much dirt (called siltation) in the water hurt them. Because of these problems, two out of three types of tubercled blossoms are now extinct. The one type that is left is still in great danger. Scientists know of only three places where this mussel is still reproducing.
Different Kinds of Tubercled Blossoms
Scientists have noticed that tubercled blossoms look a bit different depending on where they live. It's like how people from different places might have slightly different features. These different forms are called subspecies. It's hard for scientists to study them now because most of them are gone.
Here are the different kinds of tubercled blossoms:
- Green blossom (Epioblasma torulosa gubernaculum): This type is now extinct. It used to live in the upper parts of the Tennessee River.
- Northern riffleshell (Epioblasma torulosa rangiana): This is the only type that is still alive today.
- Tubercled blossom (Epioblasma torulosa torulosa): This type is also extinct. It lived in the main parts of large rivers.
