Pyganodon cataracta

Anodonta cataracta, now Pyganodon cataracta, is a species of large freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusc in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Its common name is the eastern floater.

Pyganodon cataracta
The pearly interior of a valve of Pyganodon cataracta at the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Unionida
Family: Unionidae
Genus: Pyganodon
Species:
P. cataracta
Binomial name
Pyganodon cataracta
(Say, 1817)
Synonyms[2]
List
  • Anodonta cataracta Say, 1817
  • Anodonta cataracta subsp. cataracta Say, 1817
  • Anodonta cataracta subsp. marginata Say, 1817
  • Anodonta marginata Say, 1817
  • Anodonta atra Rafinesque, 1820
  • Anodonta cuneata Rafinesque, 1820
  • Anodonta digonota Rafinesque, 1831
  • Anodonta teres Conrad, 1834
  • Anodonta excurvata DeKay, 1843
  • Anodonta virgulata Lea, 1857
  • Anodonta dariensis Lea, 1858
  • Anodonta williamsii Lea, 1862
  • Anodonta tryonii Lea, 1862
  • Anodonta doliaris Lea, 1863
  • Pyganodon marginata (Say, 1817)

Subspecies

  • Pyganodon cataracta subsp. cataracta
  • Pyganodon cataracta subsp. marginata

Description

Pyganodon cataracta can reach a size of 10–15 centimetres (3.9–5.9 in).

Distribution and habitat

This mussel is present in freshwater habitats along the Atlantic coast of North America, ranging from Alabama to some parts of Canada. It is typically found in soft-bottomed ponds, rivers and small lakes.

Taxonomy

Like many other of its relatives, the eastern floater was thought to be in the genus Anodonta, but was since moved to other genera such as Pyganodon, Utterbackia, and more.[3]

References


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