Flat Floater
ExplorarInvertebrate
Flat Floater
utterbackiana suborbiculata
The Flat Floater (Utterbackiana suborbiculata) is a remarkably large and distinct freshwater mussel native to the quiet, muddy waters of North America. Known for its exceptionally flat, circular shell and thin, delicate structure, this bivalve is uniquely adapted to environments that would suffocate other mussel species. By spreading its weight across a wide surface area, it effectively floats on top of soft, unstable silt and mud bottoms. As ecosystem engineers, Flat Floaters play a vital role in maintaining aquatic health. Through continuous filter feeding, they clarify water, cycle nutrients, and provide microhabitats for benthic microorganisms, making them quiet champions of lake and river conservation.
Hábitat: Found in quiet, slow-moving waters such as oxbow lakes, muddy ponds, and river sloughs with soft silt or mud substrates.
Aspecto
This mussel is easily recognized by its nearly circular, heavily compressed shell that can reach up to 18 centimeters in length. The shell is remarkably thin and fragile compared to other unionids. Its outer surface is typically a light yellowish-green to dark brown, often featuring fine green rays in younger specimens. Internally, the shell boasts a pearly, iridescent nacre that ranges from silvery-white to pinkish-orange, lacking well-developed hinge teeth.
ReinoAnimaliaFiloMolluscaClaseBivalviaOrdenUnionidaFamiliaUnionidaeGéneroUtterbackiana
Categoría
InvertebrateRareza
Common
Peligro
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Snaps
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Datos interesantes
Its scientific name 'suborbiculata' directly translates to 'nearly circular', referring to its unique, disc-like shape.
The flat floater's shell is so incredibly thin and fragile that dry shells can often be crushed easily with light finger pressure.
Unlike most mussels that require clean gravel, this species prefers thick, gooey mud, earning its reputation as a true mud-dweller.
Habilidades especiales
Habilidad
Buoyant Shell Design
An extremely thin, lightweight, and broad shell allows the mussel to rest on soft, deep silt without sinking.
Habilidad
Glochidial Hitchhiking
Its larvae attach to the fins or gills of specific host fish to safely disperse throughout aquatic systems.
Habilidad
Hypoxia Tolerance
It can survive in low-oxygen, stagnant water conditions that would be fatal to most other freshwater mussels.
Medidas y detalles
- Longitud
- 10+ cm
- Peso
- 0.1+ kg
- Esperanza de vida
- 5+ años
- Tamaño de la puesta
- 50000+
- Incubación
- 180+ días
Dieta y alimentación
Filters microscopic organic debris, algae, and bacteria directly from the slow-moving water column using its specialized gills.
Alimentos principales
- Phytoplankton
- Microscopic algae
- Organic detritus
- Bacteria
Método de búsqueda
- Filtering
Conexiones ecológicas
parasite
Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
Serves as a host for the larval stage (glochidia) of the Flat Floater.
eaten by
Muskrat
Ondatra zibethicus
Preys on the adult mussels, leaving piles of empty shells along the banks.
Rasgos
Aún no hay insignias de rasgos asignadas a este objeto.
También conocido como
Todavía no hay alias listados.
Colecciones
Las colecciones para este objeto aparecerán aquí a medida que se añadan más temas.
Seguridad
Peligro
1/5 · Muy bajo
Todavía no hay notas especiales de seguridad.
Preguntas frecuentes
¿Cómo identificar a Flat Floater?
La forma más fácil de identificar a Flat Floater es usar la aplicación de identificación de naturaleza Snappit.
¿Cuál es el longitud de Flat Floater?
10+ cm
¿Cuál es el peso de Flat Floater?
0.1+ kg
¿Cuál es el esperanza de vida de Flat Floater?
5+ años
¿Qué come Flat Floater?
Filters microscopic organic debris, algae, and bacteria directly from the slow-moving water column using its specialized gills.
¿Dónde se encuentra normalmente Flat Floater?
Found in quiet, slow-moving waters such as oxbow lakes, muddy ponds, and river sloughs with soft silt or mud substrates.
¿Cómo caza Flat Floater?
Filtering
¿Cuál es el tamaño de la puesta de Flat Floater?
50000+
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Snaps recientes
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Dónde verlo
Parque30 avistamientos12 especies
Alabama, US
Icehouse Historic District
Puedes ver Musgo Español, Gecko Casero Del Mediterráneo y Anolis Verde.
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Parque30 avistamientos12 especies
Alabama, US
Water Avenue Historic District
Puedes ver Musgo Español, Hoja De Arce y Gecko Casero Del Mediterráneo.
Ver guía →
