Unio crassus: Difference between revisions
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{{Taxobox | color = pink |
{{Taxobox |
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| name = Thick shelled river mussel |
| name = Thick shelled river mussel |
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| image = Unio crassus.jpg |
| image = Unio crassus.jpg |
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[[Category:Bivalves]] |
[[Category:Bivalves]] |
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[[Category:Molluscs]] |
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Revision as of 12:48, 3 January 2007
| Thick shelled river mussel | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Genus: | Unio
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| Species: | U. crassus
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| Binomial name | |
| Unio crassus Maton & Rackett, 1807
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The thick shelled river mussel, Unio crassus, is a mussel of the family Unionidae.
As part of newly discovered reproductive behaviour, this mollusc crawls up to the edge of the water, exposing its excurrent aperture, and then lets loose a stream of water. The fountain of water often contains glochidia, and it is suggested that this spurting behavior may facilitate dispersal of mussel larvae.
Decline
The thick shelled river mussel declined in the beginning of the 20th century due to a deteriorating water quality. The species declined everywhere in Europe. In Germany this bivalve has disappeared from 90% of its former range. In the Netherlands it has not been seen alive after 1968 and is most likely extinct in that country.[1]
References
- ^ Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality - Nature Law - Bataafse stroommossel (Unio crassus). Accessed at the ministries website