Epioblasma

Epioblasma is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Most of the species in this genus have been lost in modern times, and the entire genus is threatened with the possibility of extinction.

Epioblasma
Epioblasma brevidens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Unionida
Family: Unionidae
Genus: Epioblasma
Rafinesque, 1831
Synonyms

Dysnomia Agassiz, 1852

Reproduction

All Unionidae are known to use the gills, fins, or skin of a host fish for nutrients during the larval glochidia stage. It was discovered in 2004 that female Epioblasma in the subgenus Torulosa transfer their parasitic larvae to the host fish by snapping onto the head of the fish and pumping the larvae into the host fish's gills. While using bait to lure host fish towards the larvae is common in the family Unionidae, this was the first time that "fish snapping" behavior had been observed. Examination of other species within the genus Epioblasma may further reveal unusual reproductive mechanisms.[1]

Taxonomy of the genus Epioblasma

Note: Taxa with a "†" symbol are extinct due to human activity

Conservation status
In September, 2017, a total of 700 golden riffleshell mussels, a federally-endangered species, were released into the Clinch River and Indian Creek. The release comes nearly twenty years after a chemical spill from an overturned tanker truck eliminated the mussel from the Clinch River; and after years of work to rear the animal in captivity by the states of Virginia and Kentucky as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Virginia Tech.

This entire genus is imperiled. In this genus, 15 species or subspecies are believed to be extinct. Of those remaining, all but one are federally protected species. Only Epioblasma triquetra does not have federal protection at this time, but is considered endangered or threatened on the state level in most of the states within its range.

This group of freshwater mussels is threatened primarily by habitat alteration as are other freshwater mussels. Dams, erosion, and pollution appear to be the primarily threats. Some workers recognize additional species not currently on the official list of recognized species.

References
  1. http://unionid.missouristate.edu/gallery/Epioblasma/default.htm
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