Odhneripisidium moitessierianum

Odhneripisidium moitessierianum is a species of small freshwater clam. It is an aquatic bivalve mollusc in the family Sphaeriidae.

Description

This species is the smallest of the pea clams or and the smallest of any freshwater bivalve, at 1.5 – 2.5 mm adult size. The shell is long-oval and oblique wedge-shaped with prominent umbos which are slightly behind the midpoint. The umbos are demarcated by a shallow furrow. The surface (periostracum) is silky, with regular concentric striae.

Distribution

The species is native to Europe but has been introduced to northeastern North America.

• Czech Republic – in Bohemia, in Moravia, - endangered (EN)
• Slovakia
• Germany – endangered (gefährdet)
• Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden (not in Faroes, Iceland)
• Great Britain and Ireland

References

• Zettler, M.L., Kuiper, J.G.J. 2002: Zur Verbreitung und Ökologie von Pisidium moitessierianum (Paladilhe 1866) unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von Nordostdeutschland (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Sphaeriidae). Mitteilungen der Deutschen Malakozoologischen Gesellschaft 67: 9-26

External links

• Pisidium moitessierianum at Animalbase taxonomy, short description, biology, status (threats), images
• Pisidium moitessierianum illustrated in Danmarks Fauna (Georg Mandahl-Barth)