Medionidus acutissimus, the Alabama moccasinshell, is a species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. It is native to Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, and possibly Florida.[4] It is a federally listed threatened species of the United States.[2][3]
| Medionidus acutissimus | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Unionida |
| Family: | Unionidae |
| Genus: | Medionidus |
| Species: | M. acutissimus
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| Binomial name | |
| Medionidus acutissimus (I. Lea, 1831)
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| Synonyms | |
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Unio acutissimus | |
This aquatic bivalve mollusk is about 3 centimeters long with a thin yellow or brownish yellow shell. The nacre is mostly translucent with a salmon pink area.[3]
This mussel is native to the Mobile River drainage, where it was once widespread. Its numbers are now low, with only one population, in the Sipsey Fork, appearing to be stable. The highest numbers are found in streams in Bankhead National Forest, where it is common in some areas. It is probably extirpated from Florida and the rivers along the Gulf Coast.[4]
References
edit- ^ Bogan, A.E. (1996). "Medionidus acutissimus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1996: e.T12924A3398826. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T12924A3398826.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Alabama moccasinshell (Medionidus acutissimus)". Environmental Conservation Online Sysytem. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
- ^ a b c USFWS. "Endangered status for eight freshwater mussels and threatened status for three freshwater mussels in the Mobil River Drainage," Federal Register. 58:14330–14340. March 17, 1993.
- ^ a b NatureServe (7 April 2023). "Medionidus acutissimus". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
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