Ligodonta
| Ligodonta | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Unionida |
| Family: | Unionidae |
| Genus: | Ligodonta M. Perkins, DeVilbiss & Whelan, 2025 |
| Species: | L. obscura
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ligodonta obscura M. Perkins, DeVilbiss & Whelan, 2025
| |
Ligodonta obscura, the solstice creekmussel, is a species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae. It is the only member of the genus Ligodonta. The species is only known to live in Randolph County, North Carolina in the Little River.
Etymology
The genus name Ligodonta comes from the Greek ligo-, meaning little, and -donta, meaning tooth. The species name obscura comes from the English word obscure in reference to its ability to evade discovery until 2025. The common name solstice creekmussel is named after its reproductive period centered around the winter solstice.[2]
Discovery
The mussel was first found during a routine mussel survey on the Little River.[3] Genetic testing revealed the species was unique and additional surveys were conducted to collect more individuals. The research culminated in a paper by Michael A. Perkins, Katharine L. DeVilbiss, Nathan V. Whelan, Rachael A. Hoch, Brena K. Jones, Jason W. Mays, Heather K. Evans, and Sierra B. Benfield published August 7, 2025 that described the new genus and species.[2]
Taxonomy
Phylogenetic results place Ligodonta as a sister to Alasmidonta within the family Unionidae.[2]
Distribution
In contemporary surveys, Ligodonta obscura has been found exclusively within the mainstream of the Little River in Randolph County, North Carolina. However, it is possible that the species could exist in additional waters.[2]
References
- ^ NatureServe. "Ligodonta obscura". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ a b c d Perkins, Michael A.; DeVilbiss, Katharine L.; Whelan, Nathan V.; Hoch, Rachael A.; Jones, Brena K.; Mays, Jason W.; Evans, Heather K.; Benfield, Sierra B. (7 August 2025). "A new endemic freshwater mussel (Bivalvia, Unionidae) genus and species, Ligodonta obscura, from the Yadkin-Pee Dee River drainage in North Carolina, USA". ZooKeys (1248): 245–265. Bibcode:2025ZooK.1248..245P. doi:10.3897/zookeys.1248.152952. PMC 12355189. PMID 40823544.
- ^ Gracia, Celeste. "Biologists discover new mussel only found in one NC stream". WUNC. Retrieved 27 October 2025.