Toxolasma cylindrellus explained

Toxolasma cylindrellus, the pale lilliput naiad, pale lilliput pearly mussel, or pale lilliput, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Its host is the northern studfish.[1]

Distribution

This species is endemic to the United States. It has experienced a great range reduction and is currently found only in the Paint Rock River drainage in northern Alabama and southeastern Tennessee.[2] The most recent surveys failed to find this species in the Tennessee portion of the drainage.

Conservation

The pale lilliput has been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 since 1976.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Ornes . Stephen . The Golden Riffleshell's Appalachian Road Trip . Science News . 1 August 2020 . 198 . 2 . 23–27 . 4 August 2020. subscription.
  2. Web site: Toxolasma cylindrellus. NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe. NatureServe. Arlington, Virginia. 6 April 2023. 3 March 2023.
  3. Web site: Pale lilliput (pearlymussel) (Toxolasma cylindrellus). Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 19 April 2023.