Reginaia ebenus explained

Reginaia ebenus is a species of mussel.^[1] It goes by the common name ebonyshell.^[2]

The species is listed as least concern by the IUCN, but is endangered in Missouri^[3] and Minnesota.^[4]

History

Originally the native range for this extended from around the Twin Cities in Minnesota and the Upper Mississippi, and went all the way downstream to the Gulf of Mexico. Then in 1913, a dam was built on the Mississippi River at Keokuk, Iowa cutting off the northern home range for breeding ebonyshells.^[5]

Taxonomy

The species was once in the genus Fusconaia but is currently in Reginaia.

Occurrence

It has been found in states like Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and Oklahoma.

Conservation

In Minnesota pollution and dams have been a cause for its decline.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Fusconaia ebena (Lea 1831) - Encyclopedia of Life. 2022-01-20. eol.org.
2. Web site: Missouri Fish and Wildlife Information System. 2022-01-20. mdc12.mdc.mo.gov.
3. Web site: Ebonyshell. 2022-01-20. Missouri Department of Conservation. en.
4. Web site: Reginaia ebenus : Ebonyshell Rare Species Guide. 2022-01-20. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. en.
5. Web site: Bohn. Ryan. Fusconaia ebena. 2022-01-20. Animal Diversity Web. en.