Kingdom Animalia Order Unionoida Genus Pleurobema Higher classification Pleurobema | Phylum Mollusca Family Unionidae Scientific name Pleurobema clava Rank Species | |
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Similar Pleurobema, Northern riffleshell, Epioblasma, Southern clubshell, Villosa fabalis | ||
The club naiad, clubshell pearly mussel, or clubshell, scientific name Pleurobema clava, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.
This species is endemic to the United States.
Club naiads prefer clean, loose sand and gravel in medium to small rivers and streams, burying themselves in the bottom substrate to depths of up to four inches. Once settled in, club naiads are long-lived, living possibly up to 50 years. Club naiads are endangered, most likely because of agricultural run-off, industrial waste, and the proliferation of the exotic invasive species the zebra mussel.
Prior to its endangered status, club naiads could be found in the Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee River systems, and Lake Erie drainages. Currently, however, these mussels can be found in the United States in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia.