Threehorn Wartyback - Obliquaria reflexa
Federal Status: Not listed (Watters 1995)
Ohio Status: Threatened (Watters 1995)
Key characteristics: The large knobs that alternate from side to side will distinguish this mussel from all other species found in the Midwest (Cummings, Mayer 1992).
Similar species: Pimpleback, sheepnose, tubercled blossom (Cummings, Mayer 1992).
Description: Shell usually small, rounded, moderately thick, and inflated. Anterior end rounded, posterior end bluntly pointed. A row of three or four large, elevated knobs extending from the beak to the center of the ventral margin, with the knobs alternating in position with those of the other side. Often a broad depression present between the knobs. Beaks elevated and curved inward. Periostracum highly variable in color from light yellowish brown to green and dark brown. Shell usually covered with numerous fine, dark green, broken rays. Length to 3 inches (7.6 cm) (Cummings, Mayer 1992).
Pseudocardinal teeth heavy and serrated; two in the left valve, one in the right. Lateral teeth straight to slightly curved, short, and serrated. Beak cavity shallow to moderately deep. Nacre pearly white (Cummings, Mayer 1992).
Hosts: None reported (Watters 1995).
Habitat: Large rivers in sand or gravel; may be locally abundant in impoundments (Cummings, Mayer 1992).
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