Lampsilis floridensis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lampsilis floridensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Unionida |
| Family: | Unionidae |
| Genus: | Lampsilis |
| Species: | L. floridensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Lampsilis floridensis Lea, 1852 | |
Lampsilis floridensis, commonly known as the Florida sandshell, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Native to the southeastern United States, it is found in rivers, streams, and lakes across Florida, parts of Georgia, and Alabama. Historically, it was sometimes confused with Lampsilis teres, but recent taxonomic revisions have confirmed its status as a distinct species.
The Florida sandshell is a filter feeder, consuming algae and bacteria from the water column. Its reproductive strategy involves releasing larvae, known as glochidia, which parasitize fish hosts. Females use a mantle lure—mimicking small fish or invertebrates—to attract suitable hosts. After attaching to the fish, the glochidia develop into juvenile mussels and drop off to settle into the substrate.[2] Specific host fish for this species are not well-documented but are likely predatory species common in its habitat.
Appearance and description
The Florida sandshell has an elongate and bluntly pointed shell with a rounded ventral margin. Its periostracum (outer shell layer) is ivory to pale yellow, featuring faint rays, a dark posterior ridge, and a waxy texture. The species is sexually dimorphic:
- Males have a more pointed posterior end.
- Females have a rounder posterior end.
The nacre (inner shell layer) is white, and the shell can reach a maximum length of approximately 120 mm. A typical shell measures around 81 mm, with smooth, tan-brown coloration and slight texture variations.[3]