Potamilus fragilis, previously Leptodea fragilis, the fragile papershell, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. P. fragilis is one of the fastest-growing unionid species and the most abundant unionid species in Lake Erie.[3] Its light-shelled morphology suggests an adaptation to deep water within lakes.[3]
| Potamilus fragilis | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Unionida |
| Family: | Unionidae |
| Genus: | Potamilus |
| Species: | P. fragilis
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| Binomial name | |
| Potamilus fragilis (Rafinesque, 1820)
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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This species is found in the United States and Canada. Its natural habitats include streams, rivers and freshwater embayments.[1]
A common host for the glochidia of this species is the freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens).[4]
References
edit- ^ a b NatureServe (3 March 2023). "Leptodea fragilis". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ "Leptodea fragilis (Rafinesque, 1820)". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ a b Krebs, Robert A.; Barkett, Elizabeth M.; Begley, Matthew T. (Feb 2015). "The impact of dreissenid mussels on growth of the fragile papershell (Leptodea fragilis), the most abundant unionid species in Lake Erie" (PDF). Canadian Journal of Zoology. 93 (2): 143–148. doi:10.1139/cjz-2014-0215.
- ^ "Field Guide: Fragile Papershell". Missouri Department of Conservation. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
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