Ambleminae is a

subfamily In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end botanical subfamily names with "-oideae", and zo ...

freshwater mussel Freshwater bivalves are molluscs of the order Bivalvia that inhabit freshwater ecosystems. They are one of the two main groups of freshwater molluscs, along with freshwater snails. The majority of bivalve molluscs are saltwater species that l ...

in the family

Unionidae The Unionidae are a Family (biology), family of freshwater mussels, the largest in the order Unionida, the bivalve molluscs sometimes known as river mussels, or simply as unionids. The range of distribution for this family is world-wide. It is a ...

. They are found throughout much of eastern

North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere, Northern and Western Hemisphere, Western hemispheres. North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South Ameri ...

south to

Central America Central America is a subregion of North America. Its political boundaries are defined as bordering Mexico to the north, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. Central America is usually ...

, although fossils are also known from

Siberia Siberia ( ; , ) is an extensive geographical region comprising all of North Asia, from the Ural Mountains in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east. It has formed a part of the sovereign territory of Russia and its predecessor states ...

. Some species have also been introduced to

East Asia East Asia is a geocultural region of Asia. It includes China, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan, plus two special administrative regions of China, Hong Kong and Macau. The economies of Economy of China, China, Economy of Ja ...

. They are the most speciose radiation of the Unionidae, with more than 300 species. Fossils of this group date back to the

Late Cretaceous The Late Cretaceous (100.5–66 Ma) is the more recent of two epochs into which the Cretaceous Period is divided in the geologic time scale. Rock strata from this epoch form the Upper Cretaceous Series. The Cretaceous is named after ''cre ...

Systematics

The following classification is based on MolluscaBase and the MUSSEL Project database: * Tribe Amblemini Rafinesque, 1820 ** Genus ''

Amblema ''Amblema'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, Aquatic animal, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Species within the genus ''Amblema'' * ''Amblema elliottii'' (Coosa fiveridge) * ''Amblema neislerii'' (Fat threer ...

'' Rafinesque, 1820 ** Genus '' Plectomerus'' Conrad, 1853 ** Genus ''

Reginaia ''Reginaia '' is a genus of freshwater mussels in the family Unionidae native to North America. This genus was separated from ''Fusconaia ''Fusconaia'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, Aquatic animal, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family (b ...

'' D. C. Campbell & Lydeard, 2012 * Tribe Lampsilini Ihering, 1901 ** Genus '' Actinonaias'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 ** Genus '' Arotonaias'' E. von Martens, 1900 ** Genus '' Atlanticoncha'' C. H. Smith, J. M. Pfeiffer & N. A. Johnson, 2020 ** Genus '' Cambarunio'' Watters, 2018 ** Genus ''

Cyprogenia ''Cyprogenia'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae. Species within the genus ''Cyprogenia'' *'' Cyprogenia aberti'' (edible naiad) * '' Cyprogenia stegaria'' (fanshell) Unionids are one of the most ...

'' Agassiz, 1852 ** Genus ''

Cyrtonaias ''Cyrtonaias'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae The Unionidae are a Family (biology), family of freshwater mussels, the largest in the order Unionida, the bivalve molluscs sometimes known as ri ...

'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 ** Genus ''

Delphinonaias ''Delphinonaias'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, Aquatic animal, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the subfamily Ambleminae of the family Unionidae.MolluscaBase eds. (2020). MolluscaBase. Delphinonaias Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894. Accessed through: W ...

'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 ** Genus ''

Disconaias ''Disconaias'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae The Unionidae are a Family (biology), family of freshwater mussels, the largest in the order Unionida, the bivalve molluscs sometimes known as ri ...

'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 ** Genus ''

Dromus Dromus may refer to: * ''Dromus'' (mollusc), a monotypic genus of freshwater mussel *, a British oil tanker launched in 1938 {{disambiguation ...

'' C. T. Simpson, 1900 ** Genus ''

Ellipsaria ''Ellipsaria lineolata'' is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This is the sole species in the monotypic genus ''Ellipsaria ''. This species is native to the drainage systems of ...

'' Rafinesque, 1820 ** Genus ''

Epioblasma ''Epioblasma'' is a North American genus of freshwater mussels, Aquatic animal, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Most of the species in this genus have been lost in modern times, and the entire genus is threate ...

'' Rafinesque, 1831 ** Genus '' Friersonia'' Ortmann, 1912 ** Genus ''

Glebula ''Glebula rotundata'', the round pearlshell, is a freshwater mussel, and an aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae The Unionidae are a Family (biology), family of freshwater mussels, the largest in the order Unionida, the bivalve mo ...

'' Conrad, 1853 ** Genus '' Hamiota'' Roe & Hartfield, 2005 ** Genus ''

Lampsilis ''Lampsilis'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. There are over 100 species in the genus. Aggressive mimicry Some species, notably '' Lampsilis ovata'' (pocketbook mussel) u ...

'' Rafinesque, 1820 ** Genus '' Leaunio'' Watters, 2018 ** Genus '' Lemiox'' Rafinesque, 1831 ** Genus †'' Lenelliptio'' C. M. Kolesnikov, 1980 (

) ** Genus ''

Ligumia ''Ligumia'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae The Unionidae are a Family (biology), family of freshwater mussels, the largest in the order Unionida, the bivalve molluscs sometimes known as rive ...

'' Swainson, 1840 ** Genus ''

Medionidus ''Medionidus'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, Aquatic animal, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae. Species within the genus ''Medionidus''

* ''Medionidus acutissimus'' (Alabama moccasinshell) * ''Medionidus conradicus'' * ''M ...

'' C. T. Simpson, 1900 ** Genus '' Obliquaria'' Rafinesque, 1820 ** Genus ''

Obovaria ''Obovaria'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, Aquatic animal, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. There are at least six described species in ''Obovaria'' at present, all of which are found in the United States. ...

'' Rafinesque, 1819 ** Genus '' Ortmanniana'' Frierson, 1927 ** Genus '' Pachynaias'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 ** Genus '' Paetulunio'' Watters, 2018 ** Genus ''

Potamilus ''Potamilus'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae The Unionidae are a Family (biology), family of freshwater mussels, the largest in the order Unionida, the bivalve molluscs sometimes known as ri ...

'' Rafinesque, 1818 ** Genus ''

Ptychobranchus ''Ptychobranchus'' is a genus of freshwater mussels in the family Unionidae. They are endemic to North America, and are mainly found in the Midwest and southeastern United States as well as Ontario, Canada. Several members of the genus are consid ...

'' C. T. Simpson, 1900 ** Genus ''

Sagittunio ''Sagittunio'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae. Species There are four recognized species: * '' Sagittunio aldermani'' Watters, 2018 * ''Sagittunio nasutus ''Sagittunio nasutus'', the easter ...

'' Watters, 2018 ** Genus '' Toxolasma'' Rafinesque, 1831 ** Genus '' Truncilla'' Rafinesque, 1819 ** Genus ''

Venustaconcha ''Venustaconcha'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae The Unionidae are a Family (biology), family of freshwater mussels, the largest in the order Unionida, the bivalve molluscs sometimes known ...

'' Frierson, 1927 ** Genus ''

Villosa ''Villosa'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve molluscs in the family Unionidae. Species Species within the genus ''Villosa'': * '' Villosa amygdala'' * '' Villosa arkansasensis'' - Ouachita creekshell * '' Villosa choctawensi ...

'' Frierson, 1927 * Tribe Pleurobemini Hannibal, 1912 ** Genus ''

Elliptio ''Elliptio'' is a genus of medium- to large-sized freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, commonly known as the unionids, freshwater mussels or naiads. In contrast with many other groups of American Unionidae, the ...

'' Rafinesque, 1819 ** Genus '' Elliptoideus'' Frierson, 1927 ** Genus '' Eurynia'' Rafinesque, 1819 ** Genus ''

Fusconaia ''Fusconaia'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, Aquatic animal, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family (biology), family Unionidae. They are native to North America. Species within the genus ''Fusconaia'' Species include: * ''Fusconaia askewi'' ...

'' C. T. Simpson, 1900 ** Genus '' Hemistena'' Rafinesque, 1820 ** Genus '' Parvaspina'' Perkins, N. A. Johnson & Gangloff, 2017 ** Genus ''

Plethobasus ''Plethobasus'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae The Unionidae are a Family (biology), family of freshwater mussels, the largest in the order Unionida, the bivalve molluscs sometimes known as r ...

'' C. T. Simpson, 1900 ** Genus ''

Pleurobema ''Pleurobema'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Species Species within the genus ''Pleurobema'' include: * '' Pleurobema altum'' (Highnut) * '' Pleurobema avellanum'' (Hazel ...

'' Rafinesque, 1819 ** Genus '' Pleuronaia'' Frierson, 1927 * Tribe Popenaiadini Heard & Guckert, 1970 ** Genus '' Barynaias'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 ** Genus '' Martensnaias'' Frierson, 1927 ** Genus '' Micronaias'' C. T. Simpson, 1900 ** Genus '' Nephritica'' Frierson, 1927 ** Genus '' Nephronaias'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 ** Genus ''

Popenaias ''Popenaias'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve Bivalvia () or bivalves, in previous centuries referred to as the Lamellibranchiata and Pelecypoda, is a class (biology), class of aquatic animal, aquatic molluscs (marine a ...

'' Frierson, 1927 ** Genus '' Psoronaias'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 ** Genus '' Psorula'' F. Haas, 1930 ** Genus '' Reticulatus'' Frierson, 1927 ** Genus '' Sphenonaias'' Crosse & P. Fischer, 1894 * Tribe Quadrulini Ihering, 1901 ** Genus ''

Cyclonaias The Unionidae are a family of freshwater mussels, the largest in the order Unionida, the bivalve molluscs sometimes known as river mussels, or simply as unionids. The range of distribution for this family is world-wide. It is at its most diverse ...

'' Pilsbry, 1922 ** Genus †'' Eonaias'' W. B. Marshall, 1929 (

Pliocene The Pliocene ( ; also Pleiocene) is the epoch (geology), epoch in the geologic time scale that extends from 5.33 to 2.58Texas 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 ...

) ** Genus ''

Megalonaias ''Megalonaias'' is a genus of bivalves belonging to the family Unionidae The Unionidae are a Family (biology), family of freshwater mussels, the largest in the order Unionida, the bivalve molluscs sometimes known as river mussels, or simply as ...

'' Utterback, 1915 ** Genus †'' Proparreysia'' Pilsbry, 1921 (Late Cretaceous of

Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States. It is one of the Mountain states, sharing the Four Corners region with Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It is also bordered by Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas ...

) ** Genus †'' Protamblema'' Modell, 1957 (Late Cretaceous of

Wyoming Wyoming ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States, Western United States. It borders Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho t ...

) ** Genus ''

Quadrula ''Quadrula'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, Aquatic animal, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae native to rivers of the American Midwest and mid-south. All have thick nacreous shells with well-developed hinge teeth, many also wit ...

'' Rafinesque, 1820 ** Genus ''

Theliderma ''Theliderma'' is a genus of freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve mollusks in the family Unionidae. They are native to North America. This genus is sometimes classified in an expanded ''Quadrula''. Species within the genus ''Theliderma'' Note: ...

'' Swainson, 1840 ** Genus '' Tritogonia'' Agassiz, 1852 ** Genus '' Uniomerus'' Conrad, 1853

References

Unionidae Protostome subfamilies Taxa named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque {{Unionidae-stub