''Plectomerus'' is a monotypic genus of freshwater mussels in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. The sole species in the genus is ''Plectomerus dombeyanus''. Its common name is bankclimber, as it can be found buried in steep slopes a considerable distance from water.

Distribution

This species is native to the Southeastern United States, from

Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

, ranging as far north as

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash River, Wabash and Ohio River, Ohio rivers to its ...

Description

This mussel is not

sexually dimorphic Sexual dimorphism is the condition where sexes of the same species exhibit different Morphology (biology), morphological characteristics, including characteristics not directly involved in reproduction. The condition occurs in most dioecy, di ...

; the sexes appear the same. The shell is somewhat rhomboidal shaped, up to long. The shell is greenish brown to brown, darkening to black with age, and its

nacre Nacre ( , ), also known as mother-of-pearl, is an organicinorganic composite material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer. It is also the material of which pearls are composed. It is strong, resilient, and iridescent. Nacre is ...

is usually deep purple.

References

Monotypic bivalve genera Unionidae {{Unionidae-stub