Lilliput
Toxolasma parvum
DIAGNOSTICS 7
SHELL
- size: very small to small; maximum 55 mm, most less than 25 mm
- thickness: thick
- shape: oval, rounded at both ends
- width: inflated to very inflated
- surface: smooth, matte
- beaks: inflated, project moderately above hinge line; sculptures: 5 to 6 heavy, single-looped ridges
- color/markings: dark brown, rayless
- sexual dimorphism: subtle: posterior end more squared in females
- pseudocardinal teeth: compressed, thin
- lateral teeth: long, straight
- nacre: silvery white, iridescent
Soft parts: ---------------
Similar species/lookalikes: Small size, plain coloring and inflated, oval shape is relatively distinctive. Live specimens of Simpsonaias ambigua are similar in shape and size but more compressed, and have fine, not heavy beak sculpturing. Shell specimens of S. ambigua are also much thinner, and lack lateral teeth. Whats more, the habitat of S. ambigua is very different than that of Toxalasma parvum, so the two species are not likely to be found together at any locality.
DISTRIBUTION/WATERSHEDS 8
ONTARIO
Lake Huron-St-Clair dr.:
- Sydenham R.
- Thames R. < Baptiste Cr.
- Ruscom R.
- Belle R.
Lake Erie dr.:
- Grand R.
- Welland R.
Lake Ontario dr.:
- 20 Mile Cr.
- Hamilton Harbour
Sources and Credits
- (c) dbarclay, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by dbarclay
- (c) Matthew Ireland, all rights reserved, uploaded by Matthew Ireland
- (c) Jesse Weinzinger, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jesse Weinzinger
- (c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sam Kieschnick
- (c) Robb Telfer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Robb Telfer
- (c) Roger Birkhead, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Roger Birkhead
- (c) Philippe Blais, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- (c) Philippe Blais, some rights reserved (CC BY-ND)
