Order Unionoida Genus Theliderma Higher classification Quadrula | Scientific name Quadrula cylindrica Rank Species | |
Similar Neosho mucket, Pink mucket, Fanshell, Epioblasma, Epioblasma triquetra | ||
The Rabbitsfoot, scientific name Theliderma cylindrica, is a species of freshwater mussel. It is an aquatic bivalve mollusk, in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.
This species is native to the United States, where it is widespread in the drainages of the Ohio River and the Great Lakes. It has disappeared from over half its historic range.
Subspecies
Two subspecies have been described. It is unclear whether they represent distinct evolutionary lineages, or are merely ecophenotypic variation which would not warrant any taxonomic status. A 2007 genetic study has cast doubt upon the validity of the existence of two subspecies.
References
Rabbitsfoot Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA