Margaritiferidae
Margaritiferidae is a family of medium-sized freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve molluscs in the order Unionida.[1][2] They are known as freshwater pearl mussels, because the interior of the shell of these species has a thick layer of nacre or mother of pearl, and the mussels are thus capable of producing pearls.
| Margaritiferidae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Separated valves of a shell of Margaritifera margaritifera | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Unionida |
| Superfamily: | Unionoidea |
| Family: | Margaritiferidae Haas, 1940 |
| Genera | |
|
8, See text for genera | |
Genera
Genera within the family Margaritiferidae include:
- Cumberlandia Ortmann, 1912
- Gibbosula Simpson, 1900
- Margaritifera Schumacher, 1815
- Pseudunio Haas, 1910
- Ptychorhynchus Simpson, 1900
- Shepmania
References
- Margaritiferidae. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 4 January 2012.
- Huber, Markus (2010). Compendium of Bivalves. A Full-color Guide to 3'300 of the World's Marine Bivalves. A Status on Bivalvia after 250 Years of Research. Hackenheim: ConchBooks. pp. 901 pp. + CD. ISBN 978-3-939767-28-2.
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