Fat threeridge
Encyclopedia
The fat threeridge is a freshwater mussel
native to the rivers in southern Georgia and Florida. It belongs to the phylum Mollusca, the class, Bivalvia, the order Unionoida and the family Unionidae. It resides in shallow rivers in the muddy and sandy bottom of the river beds. It was named an endangered species
in 1998 by state and federal agencies and it is now considered critically endangered. The mussel is usually less than four inches in length and also in its width. It possesses a dark brown to black outer shell. Its inner shell is bluish white to purple with an iridescent appearance. The shell is unique to mussels being inflated and also possessing approximately 7-9 prominent parallel ridges. It is a filter feeder. Food particles become trapped when filtered through and are eventually ingested. Currently the population of these mussels is declining. This is due to critical shortages in water due to violent droughts, which are destroying their habitat, within the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River system in Georgia
and Florida
. Also, pollution from people and plants along the rivers, the disappearance of host fish and the introduction of other animals such as the Asian Clam
have aided in their decline in population. This specific mussel has never gotten much attention due to its physical profile that blends in with the usual muddy background and its poor motor skills. Even being added to the endangered species act did not bring much attention to this specific mussel.
Mussel
The common name mussel is used for members of several families of clams or bivalvia mollusca, from saltwater and freshwater habitats. These groups have in common a shell whose outline is elongated and asymmetrical compared with other edible clams, which are often more or less rounded or oval.The...
native to the rivers in southern Georgia and Florida. It belongs to the phylum Mollusca, the class, Bivalvia, the order Unionoida and the family Unionidae. It resides in shallow rivers in the muddy and sandy bottom of the river beds. It was named an endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
in 1998 by state and federal agencies and it is now considered critically endangered. The mussel is usually less than four inches in length and also in its width. It possesses a dark brown to black outer shell. Its inner shell is bluish white to purple with an iridescent appearance. The shell is unique to mussels being inflated and also possessing approximately 7-9 prominent parallel ridges. It is a filter feeder. Food particles become trapped when filtered through and are eventually ingested. Currently the population of these mussels is declining. This is due to critical shortages in water due to violent droughts, which are destroying their habitat, within the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River system in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
and Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Also, pollution from people and plants along the rivers, the disappearance of host fish and the introduction of other animals such as the Asian Clam
Corbicula fluminea
Corbicula fluminea is a species of freshwater clam, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Corbiculidae.This species is of originally mainly Asian origin and thus it is often commonly called Asian clam or Asiatic clam. In the aquarium and koi pond trade it is often called Golden Clam or Golden...
have aided in their decline in population. This specific mussel has never gotten much attention due to its physical profile that blends in with the usual muddy background and its poor motor skills. Even being added to the endangered species act did not bring much attention to this specific mussel.