DIAGNOSTICS ⁹

SHELL

• size: large to very large, maximum around 200mm
• thickness: thick to very thick
• shape: oval to quadrate, with low wing common on posterior slope
• width: compressed to moderately inflated
• surface: three or four, usually well defined and heavy diagonal ridges at mid-shell
• beaks: anterior, slightly elevated above hinge line.
• sculptures: about 5 simple looped ridges
  
• color/markings: brown to blackish, lacking rays
• sexual dimorphism: none
• pseudocardinal teeth: heavy, triangular and serrated. two or three in right valve, two in left.
• lateral teeth: moderately long and relatively straight
• nacre: white

Soft parts:

Similar species/lookalikes: The wide diagonal ridges of the discs are diagnostic on their own for this taxon.

DISTRIBUTION/WATERSHEDS ¹⁰

ONTARIO

• Sydenham R.
• Thames R.
• Grand R.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Jeff Garner, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jeff Garner
2. Daderot, no known copyright restrictions (public domain), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amblema_plicata_-_Royal_Ontario_Museum_-_DSC00194.JPG
3. (c) dbarclay, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by dbarclay
4. (c) Philippe Blais, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Philippe Blais
5. (c) Mary Mirasola, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Mary Mirasola
6. (c) Scott Gibson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Scott Gibson
7. (c) John, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by John
8. (c) Josiah Willink, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Josiah Willink
9. Adapted by Philippe Blais from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amblema_plicata
10. (c) Philippe Blais, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

• iNaturalist.ca taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• SeaLifeBase
• World Register of Marine Species

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