Pyganodon cataracta

Pyganodon cataracta, formerly Anodonta cataracta, is a species of large freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusc in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Its common name is the eastern floater.

Pyganodon cataracta
The pearly interior of a valve of Pyganodon cataracta at the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Bivalvia
Order:	Unionida
Family:	Unionidae
Genus:	Pyganodon
Species:	P. cataracta
Binomial name
Pyganodon cataracta (Say, 1817)
Synonyms[2]
List Anodonta cataracta Say, 1817 Anodonta cataracta subsp. cataracta Say, 1817 Anodonta cataracta subsp. marginata Say, 1817 Anodonta marginata Say, 1817 Anodonta atra Rafinesque, 1820 Anodonta cuneata Rafinesque, 1820 Anodonta digonota Rafinesque, 1831 Anodonta teres Conrad, 1834 Anodonta excurvata DeKay, 1843 Anodonta virgulata Lea, 1857 Anodonta dariensis Lea, 1858 Anodonta williamsii Lea, 1862 Anodonta tryonii Lea, 1862 Anodonta doliaris Lea, 1863 Pyganodon marginata (Say, 1817)

Subspecies

• Pyganodon cataracta subsp. cataracta
• Pyganodon cataracta subsp. marginata

Description

Pyganodon cataracta can reach a size of 10–15 centimetres (3.9–5.9 in).

Distribution and habitat

This mussel is present in freshwater habitats along the Atlantic coast of North America, ranging from Alabama to some parts of Canada. It is typically found in soft-bottomed ponds, rivers and small lakes.

Taxonomy

Like many other of its relatives, the eastern floater was thought to be in the genus Anodonta, but was since moved to other genera such as Pyganodon, Utterbackia, and more.^[3]