Subgenus Nucleocyclas Order Veneroida | Suborder Sphaeriacea Genus Sphaerium Scientific name Sphaerium nucleus Rank Species Subclass Heterodonta | |
Similar Sphaerium, Pisidium pseudosphaerium, Pisidium hibernicum, Pisidium milium, Sphaerium rivicola | ||
Sphaerium nucleus is a freshwater bivalve of the family Sphaeriidae.
Contents
Description
Sphaerium nucleus is a very small bivalve which may grow up to 8mm in width and length. It differs from Sphaerium corneum only in details Like almost all bivalves, it is a filter-feeder.
Taxonomy
S. nucleus was described by Studer 1820, who placed it in the genus Cyclas. It was later thought to be a sub-species of Sphaerium corneum. Subsequently it was raised to a full species again as Sphaerium nucleus (Studer, 1820) due to its having a different form of kidney, and the shell having a broad hinge plate, dense porosity and more tumid shells with broad umbones. Unlike S. corneum it has a preference for temporary habitats.
Distribution
Europe, Central Asia.
Ecology
This species lives in freshwater, in periodic standing water.