Kingdom Animalia Order Unionoida Genus Theliderma Higher classification Quadrula | Phylum Mollusca Family Unionidae Scientific name Quadrula intermedia Rank Species | |
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Similar Appalachian monkey‑face pearly mu, Quadrula, Birdwing pearlymussel, Fine‑rayed pigtoe pearly mu, Epioblasma | ||
The Cumberland monkeyface pearly mussel or Cumberland monkeyface, scientific name Theliderma intermedia, is a species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This aquatic bivalve mollusk is native to Tennessee and Virginia in the United States, where it occurs in the Duck and Powell Rivers. It is a federally listed endangered species.
This species is yellow-green or greenish yellow in color. It can reach at least 35 years old. Like other mussels, it has larvae called glochidia that lodge in the gills of fish to develop into juvenile mussels. Hosts for this species include the streamlined chub (Erymystax dissimilis) and blotched chub (Erymystax insignis).
This mussel has been extirpated from the Elk River. There is still a population in the Powell River, and the population in the Duck River appears to be viable.