User:Mbutler2001/Epioblasma obliquata

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Epioblasma obliquata, commonly called the catspaw, is a species of freshwater mussel. It is native to eastern North America, where it is classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. There are two subspecies, each with distinct morphology. Due to species rarity, the behavior of this organism is unknown beyond general freshwater mussel behavior.

Natural History and Conservation
Freshwater mussels also face the major threats of water temperature, water velocity, and turbidity changes. These factors add great stress on the survival of these mussels in their respective environments. They change the ecophysiology of the organisms and change the way they are able to interact with their resources and surroundings.

Organism Description
One of the subspecies, the white catspaw, exhibits morphological differences between the sexes. The males have shells that are more oval-like and the grooves are deeper than those of the female. The shell of the females appear to resemble more of a rectangle than the oval. The outer layer of the shell is a tannish color while the iridescent interior is a pearly white. Overall, the mussel is around 2 inches.

The purple catspaw has a yellow/green/brownish shell surface with a deep purple iridescent interior. This subspecies demonstrates different sex morphologies as well with the male shell narrower than the wider shell of the female. Males can be up to 70mm.

Behavior
Due to the rarity of both subspecies, reproduction timing is unknown. Maturation, developmental morphology, and lifespan have not been observed. These muscles are filter feeders through and consuming what food available floating through the water. Basic organismal research needs to be done on the catspaw mussel if there is any hope of reintroduction to its historical ranges.