| Epioblasma triquetra | |
|---|---|
| Epioblasma triquetra | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Unionoida |
| Family: | Unionidae |
| Genus: | Epioblasma |
| Species: | E. triquetra |
| Binomial name | |
| Epioblasma triquetra (Rafinesque, 1820) |
|
Epioblasma triquetra, common name the Snuffbox, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. It is a rare species and currently a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act.
All Unionidae are known to use the gills, fins, or skin of a host fish for nutrients during the larval glochidia stage. In 2004, it was discovered that female Epioblasma triquetra mussels lure the unsuspecting fish towards them, then quickly clamp onto the head of the host fish and pump the glochidia larvae into their gills. The primary confirmed host fish for Epioblasma triquetra was found to be the common logperch, due to it being able to survive this violent encounter. [2]
This species lives the Great Lakes system and Mississippi River system. It was classified as endangered by COSEWIC. The Canadian Species at Risk Act listed it in the List of Wildlife Species at Risk as being endangered in Canada.[3]