Kingdom Animalia Order Unionoida Genus Epioblasma Higher classification Epioblasma | Phylum Mollusca Family Unionidae Scientific name Epioblasma metastriata Rank Species | |
Similar Coosa moccasinshell, Epioblasma, Southern pigtoe, Southern clubshell, Alabama moccasinshell | ||
The upland combshell, scientific name Epioblasma metastriata, is a species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae. It is endemic to the upper Mobile River Basin in the southeastern United States.
This species is found only in the shoals of rivers and large streams. This habitat has been massively impacted by dam construction and dredging. Due to habitat loss and pollution, this species is considered critically endangered, if not already extinct. The last live individual was seen in 1988, in the Conasauga River. Surveys conducted after that time have failed to find any live individuals in any of their previously known locations.
There remains the possibility that this species could still exist in sections of the Upper Coosa River Basin that, as of 2008, remain poorly surveyed.