Ptychobranchus subtentum, also known as the fluted kidneyshell, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.
| Ptychobranchus subtentum | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Unionida |
| Family: | Unionidae |
| Genus: | Ptychobranchus |
| Species: | P. subtentum
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| Binomial name | |
| Ptychobranchus subtentum (Say, 1825)
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This species is endemic to the drainages of the Cumberland River and the Tennessee River in the United States.[2]
Reproduction
editAll Unionidae are known to use the gills, fins, or skin of a host fish for nutrients during the larval glochidia stage. Ptychobranchus subtentum enclose their larvae in a membranous capsule that resembles the pupae of black flies. When a fish bites the capsule bait, the Ptychobranchus subtentum larvae are forced out through the mimic capsule's "eyes" and then attach to the gills of the host fish.[3]
Host species of this bradytictic mussel include Etheostoma obeyense, Etheostoma rufilineatum, Etheostoma flabellare, Etheostoma caeruleum and Cottus carolinae.[2]
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References
edit- ^ Bogan, A.E. (1996). "Ptychobranchus subtentum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1996: e.T18828A8645314. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T18828A8645314.en. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ a b c NatureServe (31 May 2024). "Ptychobranchus subtentus". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ M. C. Barnhart (1998–2006). "Fluted kidneyshell: Ptychobranchus subtentum". Unio Gallery.
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