Plethobasus cyphyus, the sheepnose mussel, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.

Plethobasus cyphyus

Vulnerable  (NatureServe)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Unionida
Family: Unionidae
Genus: Plethobasus
Species:
P. cyphyus
Binomial name
Plethobasus cyphyus

This species is endemic to the Midwest and Southeast United States.[2] It is currently listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,[3][4] and it is no longer present in two-thirds of the waterways in which it was historically found.[2]

Host fish species for the sheepnose's glochidia include Pimephales promelas, Semotilus atromaculatus, Campostoma anomalum and Culaea inconstans, while attachment to sauger (Sander canadense) has been described but transformation into juvenile mussels following parasitism of this host has not been verified.[4]: 14916 

Common names used historically to refer to P. cyphyus include clear profit and bullhead.[4]

Individuals fresh from the water

References

edit
  1. ^ Bogan, A.E.; Cummings, K. (2014). "Plethobasus cyphyus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T17624A19690732. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T17624A19690732.en. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b c NatureServe (2 June 2023). "Plethobasus cyphyus". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Sheepnose Mussel (Plethobasus cyphyus)". Environmental Conservation System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  4. ^ a b c 77 FR 14914