Also see: Mussel Anatomy
About freshwater mussels:
The external shell has two halves, each referred to as a "valve", hence mussels being classified among the "bivalves". Most species are found in the Mississippi River watershed. They dig into the gravel and sand at river bottoms. Zebra mussels, a non-native species, are threatening many native mussel species becauses they reproduce at a much more rapid rate and the competition for resources starves the native species. Mussels are filter feeders.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
(Bivalvia means having two valves, or shells. The class includes marine mussels, freshwater mussels, and clams, which include zebra mussels.)
Subclass: Palaeoheterodonta (freshwater mussels)
Family: Unionidae
More information about freshwater mussels:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Discover Freshwater Mussels
Wikipedia: Mussel
Also see:
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