Stirrup shell
Encyclopedia
The stirrup shell or stirrupshell (Quadrula stapes) is a species of bivalve in the Unionidae
family. It is endemic to the United States
, where it is known only from Alabama
and Mississippi
. Empty shells were last collected in 1989. The species is likely extinct.
Unionidae
Unionidae is a family of freshwater mussels, the largest in the order Unionoida, the bivalve mollusks sometimes known as river mussels, naiads, or simply as unionids.The range of distribution for this family is world-wide...
family. It is endemic to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where it is known only from Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
and Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
. Empty shells were last collected in 1989. The species is likely extinct.