Kingdom Animalia Class Bivalvia Family Unionidae Rank Species | Phylum Mollusca Order Unionoida Genus Fusconaia | |
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Similar Fusconaia, Amblema plicata, Truncilla truncata, Lampsilis cardium, Oval pigtoe | ||
Fusconaia flava is a freshwater mussels in the family Unionidae. Wabash pigtoe is the common name used for Fusconaia flava.
Contents
Description
The shell is divided into two valves that are hinged. Fusconaia flava shell is thick and can be compressed or inflated, has a triangular to an elongate triangle shape. Nacre (the inside layer of the shell) is white, but sometimes the nacre can be pink or salmon color.
Life cycle
Fusconaia flava males release sperm and the females collect the sperm through the incurrent siphon. The eggs are fertilized internally. Fusconaia flava has a parasitic larva stage called glochidia, the mussels use a lure to attract fish and then release the glochidia when the fish is close enough. The glochidia latch onto the gills or fins of the fish and remain there feeding of the blood of the fish until the glochidia reach the juvenile stage. Known host species for Fusconaia flava include silver shiner (Notropis photogenis) and creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus). Parent mussel provides no care once the glochidia are released. Fusconaia flava are filter feeders, waste is released through the excurrent siphon. They are sedentary creatures and are anchored to the substrate or buried in the substrate.
Habitat
Fusconaia flava can be found in lotic habitat anywhere from small streams to large rivers, and can handle various types of substrate including mud, sand, or gravel. Although Fusconaia flava is of least conservation concern, nineteen percent of Kentucky mussels have become extinct or extirpated from Kentucky due to habitat loss.