Shiny pigtoe
The shiny pigtoe (Fusconaia cor) is a species of bivalve in the family Unionidae. It is endemic to the United States. The shiny pigtoe has been eliminated from most of its historic range.[1] Populations currently exist in the North Fork of the Holston River, Clinch, Powell and Paint Rock river systems in Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia.[5] Threats to the species include habitat alteration and fragmentation, hydroelectric dams, wastewater discharge, water withdrawal, non-native species, and runoff of silt and other pollutants.[6] It is a medium-sized mussel that is about 2.5 inches (64 mm) in size. It has a smooth and shiny oval-shaped shell with distinguishing dark green to blackish rays on a yellow to brown background. Younger specimens have a bolder ray color patterning. The inner nacre is white.[6] The shiny pigtoe is tachytichtic, spawning between late May and early June.[5] Known glochidial hosts include the common (Luxilus cornutus), warpaint (Luxilus coccogenis), telescope (Notropis telescopus) and whitetail (Cyprinella galactura) shiners.[5] This species appears to be most closely related to Fusconaia cuneolus.[7] References
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