Villosa iris

Villosa iris
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Bivalvia
Order:	Unionida
Family:	Unionidae
Genus:	Villosa
Species:	V. iris
Binomial name
Villosa iris (Lea, 1829)
Synonyms
Unio iris Lea, 1829

Villosa iris, the rainbow mussel or rainbow-shell, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.

Reproduction[]

All Unionidae are known to use the gills, fins, or skin of a host fish for nutrients during the larval glochidia stage. Female villosa iris attract host fish by imitating a crayfish. Elongate papillae on the mantle margin resemble antennae, legs, and eyes. They also mimic crayfish behavior, moving the papillae independently like legs, and use "tail tucking" motions.^[1] Juvenile mussels bury in the sediment just below its surface, and feed on interstitial bacteria and bacterial-sized particles including algae.^[2]

Distribution[]

This species is widely distributed throughout the St. Lawrence, upper Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland River Basins.^[3]

Conservation Status[]

Villosa iris is considered globally secure, but is the focus of conservation concern at the edges of its range in areas like Ontario and Wisconsin. ^[4] In Canada, V. iris is listed as endangered by COSEWIC and Ontario.^[5] In Wisconsin, it is listed as state endangered.^[6]

References[]

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