The Unionidae are a family of freshwater mussels, the largest in the order Unionida of the bivalve molluscs, sometimes known as river mussels or simply unionids. They are distributed globally but reach their greatest diversity in North America, home to around 297 recognized taxa, with China and Southeast Asia also supporting particularly diverse populations. Freshwater mussels typically live in flowing waters such as rivers, streams and creeks, where they burrow into the substrate and filter-feed by drawing water through their shells.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Living or Extinct Comparison
CITES Appendix CITES Appendix Scientific Name Connections
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Unionidae
Introductory paragraphQuote, Introductory paragraph
The Unionidae are a family of freshwater mussels
2. GBIF Species API
3. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ1434366, descriptionView the Source 4. UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat): Species+: Unionidae
UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat)Species+ taxon_concepts, id 299Quote, Species+ taxon_concepts, id 299
"rank":"FAMILY","name_status":"A","updated_at":"2022-07-17T10:03:20.789Z","active":true,"cites_listing":"I/II/NC"
Wikidata: Freshwater Mussel
- Wikidata Q1434366, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
- Child Taxon Of: Bivalvia, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
- In Biome: River, Introduction
View the SourceReader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.