Unio tumidiformis is a species of bivalve belonging to the family Unionidae.[1][2][3] It is endemic to the southwestern Iberian Peninsula.[1][2][4] Existing populations are known from the Guadiana, Mira, and Sado Rivers in Portugal and Spain.[1][4]
| Unio tumidiformis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Unionida |
| Family: | Unionidae |
| Genus: | Unio |
| Species: | U. tumidiformis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Unio tumidiformis Castro, 1885
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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Unio tumidiformis is related to Unio crassus and has been considered a "race" of the latter, but a 2009 study found the two species to be clearly distinct.[4]
Description
editUnio tumidiformis grows to a shell length of 57 mm (2.2 in) and wet weight of 16 g (0.56 oz). The shell is oval in shape.[4] In a population in southern Portugal, mussels became sexually mature at the age of 2 years. The maximum observed age was 7 years.[5]
Habitat
editUnio tumidiformis occurs in temporary Mediterranean-type streams, surviving the dry season in pools that do not dry up. It is also known from some lakes (Lagunas de Ruidera in Spain). Its larvae (glochidia) seem to successfully develop only in fish of the genus Squalius (Cyprinidae).[1]
Conservation
editPopulations from the Guadiana and Guadalquivir River basins have already been extirpated. This species is threatened by changes of hydrologic regime of the streams, natural droughts, gravel and water extraction, dams, and impoundments. Also the loss of suitable host fish and pollution are threats.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Araujo, R. (2011). "Unio tumidiformis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T171935A6810869. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T171935A6810869.en. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ a b c Bieler R, Bouchet P, Gofas S, Marshall B, Rosenberg G, La Perna R, Neubauer TA, Sartori AF, Schneider S, Vos C, ter Poorten JJ, Taylor J, Dijkstra H, Finn J, Bank R, Neubert E, Moretzsohn F, Faber M, Houart R, Picton B, Garcia-Alvarez O, eds. (2024). "Unio tumidiformis Castro, 1885". MolluscaBase. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ "Unio tumidiformis Castro, 1885". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
- ^ a b c d Reis, Joaquim; Araujo, Rafael (2009). "Redescription of Unio tumidiformis Castro, 1885 (Bivalvia, Unionidae), an endemism from the south-western Iberian Peninsula". Journal of Natural History. 43 (31–32): 1929–1945. doi:10.1080/00222930902993724.
- ^ Reis, Joaquim; Araujo, Rafael (2016). "Life history of the freshwater mussel Unio tumidiformis (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in a temporary Mediterranean‐type stream". Invertebrate Biology. 135 (1): 31–45. doi:10.1111/ivb.12114.
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