Kingdom Animalia Order Unionoida Genus Unio Higher classification Unio | Phylum Mollusca Family Unionidae Scientific name Unio crassus Rank Species | |
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Similar Unio, Bivalvia, Painter's mussel, Swollen river mussel, Depressed river mussel | ||
Negative impact on thick shelled river mussel
The thick shelled river mussel, scientific name Unio crassus, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.
Contents
Ecology
As part of newly discovered reproductive behaviour, this mollusc crawls up to the edge of the water, exposing its excurrent aperture, and then lets loose a stream of water. The fountain of water often contains glochidia, and it is suggested that this spurting behavior may facilitate dispersal of mussel larvae.
Decline
The thick shelled river mussel declined during the 20th century everywhere in Europe due to deteriorating water quality, habitat fragmentation and host fish limitation.
Distribution
Its native distribution is European.
References
Thick shelled river mussel Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA