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Elliptio

(Genus)

Overview

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Elliptio is a genus of medium-sized to large-sized freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, commonly known as the unionids, freshwater mussels or naiads. In contrast with many other groups of American unionidae, the Elliptio reach their greatest diversity in the Atlantic draining rivers of Georgia and the Carolinas, and large parts of Florida. One species ranges north into New England and southern Canada, and two occur in the interior Mississippi drainages. Most Elliptio species have elongate shells, with silvery or purplish interior nacre beneath a thick periostracum, and few reach large size or thickness.

The genus name Elliptio refers to the elliptical shape of these bivalves.

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External links

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e-sized freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, commonly known as the unionids, freshwater mussels or naiads. In contrast with many other groups of American unionidae, the Elliptio reach their greatest diversity in the Atlantic draining rivers of Georgia and the Carolinas, and large parts of Florida. One species ranges north into New England and southern Canada, and two occur in the interior Mississippi drainages. Most Elliptio species have elongate shells, with silvery or purplish interior nacre beneath a thick periostracum, and few reach large size or thickness.

The genus name Elliptio refers to the elliptical shape of these bivalves.

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External links

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References

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Taxonomy

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The Genus Elliptio is further organized into finer groupings including:

References

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Sources

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Last Revised: August 24, 2012
2012/08/24 14:41:41