Ebonyshell
Fusconaia ebena (Lea, 1831) |
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Ebonyshell |
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| Fusconaia ebena, INHS 2656. Ohio River, Pulaski County, Illinois. Length: 2.9 inches (7.4 cm).
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| Other common names None.
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| Key characters Round, heavy, thick, brown or black shell without rays
or pustules. Beak cavity very deep.
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| Similar species Long-solid, hickorynut, round hickorynut, ring pink, pigtoes (Fusconaia and Pleurobema).
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| Description Shell solid, heavy, rounded or oval, and inflated. Anterior end rounded, posterior end rounded or bluntly pointed. Dorsal margin slightly rounded, ventral margin curved, occasionally straight. Umbos low, inflated, about even with hinge line and curved downward. Beak sculpture consists of a
few very weak ridges, apparent only in extremely small shells. Shell smooth
with slightly elevated ridges indicating periods of growth. Periostracum
rayless, light brown in young shells, becoming dark brown to black in older
individuals. Length to 4 inches (10.2 cm). Pseudocardinal teeth very heavy and well developed; two in the left valve, two in the right. Lateral teeth serrated and curved; two in the left valve, one in the right. Beak cavity very deep. Nacre pearly white, iridescent posteriorly. |
| Habitat Large rivers in sand and gravel.
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Status Endangered in Missouri and Wisconsin. Threatened in Ohio.
Species of Special Concern in Illinois and Minnesota.
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