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Note: Red text
is defined in the Glossary
Description
The pheasantshell is a large, thick-shelled mussel. The shell
is inflated with the umbos rising slightly
above the hinge line. Shell shape is
roughly elliptical with a straight
ventral margin in both sexes. There
is slight sexual dimorphism. The posterior
margin of the female is somewhat rounder than that of the
male. The periostracum is golden brown
with broken green rays; older individuals
may become brown or black. The nacre
may be bluish to creamy or silvery white with iridescence
along the margins. (Parmalee and Bogan 1998).
Distribution
(see map)
This species is found in the Tennessee and Cumberland river
basins (Parmalee and Bogan 1998). It is no longer found in North
Carolina.
Historical Distribution
by County: Watauga Co. (Watauga River)
Habitat Preferences
The pheasantshell is found in riffles of sand and gravel in
fast current (Parmalee and Bogan 1998).
Life History
This species is bradytictic (Ortmann
1921, as reported in Parmalee and Bogan 1998). Little else is known
of the reproductive biology of this species.
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