MUSSELp Mussel of the MonthThe February 2005 Mussel of the Month is Mycetopoda pittieri. The genus Mycetopoda is widespread in the New World, from South America north into Mexico.  INHS 14870. Rio Camoruco, between Estero & Campo Alegre, about 10 km NW Libertad Cojedes, Venezuela. 9 January 1993, K.S. Cummings & C.A. Mayer! Freshwater mussels in the genus Mycetopoda are unique in that they have a long "mushroom-shaped" foot (hence the name Mycetopoda). They use the foot to anchor themselves deep into the stream bottom (usually a clay or mud bank). When a predator (or collector) happens upon them they quickly retract the foot and retreat into the substrate thus avoiding capture. It isn't always successful as many streams are littered with the broken shells of these animals left over by wading birds that had been feeding on the mussels. Classification:Phylum Mollusca Superfamily Etherioidea Deshayes, 1830 Family Mycetopodidae Gray, 1840 Genus Mycetopoda d'Orbigny, 1835 Species Mycetopoda pittieri Marshall, 1927 For more information, check out the following:
To see past MUSSELp Mussels of the Month, go to the MOM Archive.
Page last updated 1 February 2005. |
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