Ptychobranchus subtentum

Fluted Kidneyshell

FWS Focus

Overview

The following description of the Fluted Kidneyshell is taken from Parmalee and Bogan (1998, pp. 204–205) and Williams et al. (2008, p. 627). The Fluted Kidneyshell is a relatively large mussel that reaches about 13 centimeters (cm) (5 inches (in)) in length. The shape of the shell is roughly oval elongate, and the solid, relatively heavy valves (shells) are moderately inflated (Figure 2.2). A series of flutings (parallel ridges or grooves) characterizes the posterior slope of each valve. Shell texture is smooth and somewhat shiny in young specimens, becoming duller with age. Shell color is greenish yellow, becoming brownish with age, with several broken, wide green rays. Internally, there are two types of teeth, projections that keep the shell from being opened by external forces and are interlocking structures used to stabilize opposing shell halves. The pseudocardinal teeth (near the anterior end of the valve hinge line) are stumpy and triangular in shape. The lateral teeth (hinge teeth) are relatively heavy and nearly straight, with two in the left valve and one in the right valve. The color of the nacre (mother-of-pearl) is bluish-white to dull white with a wash of salmon in the older part of the shell (beak cavity). Most anatomical features are tan or brown and vary from rusty orange to shades of reddish or grayish brown. Only a few select features will be detailed, but further information of soft anatomy is described by Williams et al. (2008, p. 627). The mantle is tan; the outside apertures vary from tan or brown, often rusty, and mottled with dark brown or grayish brown; the visceral mass (collective assemblage of internal organs) is pearly white to creamy white; the foot is creamy white to tan; and the gills are tan. The gills are only connected to the visceral mass anteriorly; the outer gills are marsupial, holding glochidia (larvae) in short folds when gravid.

Scientific Name

Ptychobranchus subtentum
Common Name
fluted kidneyshell
FWS Category
Clams
Kingdom

Location in Taxonomic Tree

Identification Numbers

TSN:

Geography

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Timeline

Explore the information available for this taxon's timeline. You can select an event on the timeline to view more information, or cycle through the content available in the carousel below.

24 Items

Listing

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Critical Habitat

Listing

Notice

Critical Habitat

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Five Year Review

Five Year Review

Recovery Plan

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Listing

Oct 25, 1999

Oct 25, 1999 Listing
Review of Plant and Animal Taxa That Are Candidates or Proposed for Listing as Endangered or Threate…
  • Publication type: CNOR
  • Population:
Item 1

Listing

Oct 30, 2001

Oct 30, 2001 Listing
ETWP; Review of Plant and Animal Species That Are Candidates or Proposed for Listing as Endangered o…
  • Publication type: CNOR
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Item 2

Listing

Jun 13, 2002

Jun 13, 2002 Listing
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Review of Species That Are Candidates or Proposed for…
  • Publication type: CNOR
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Item 3

Listing

May 4, 2004

May 4, 2004 Listing
Review of Species That Are Candidates or Proposed for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual No…
  • Publication type: CNOR
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Item 4

Listing

May 11, 2005

May 11, 2005 Listing
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Review of Native Species That Are Candidates or Pro…
  • Publication type: CNOR
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Item 5

Listing

Sep 12, 2006

Sep 12, 2006 Listing
Review of Native Species That Are Candidates or Proposed for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; An…
  • Publication type: CNOR
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Item 6

Listing

Dec 6, 2007

Dec 6, 2007 Listing
Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notic…
  • Publication type: CNOR
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Item 7

Listing

Dec 6, 2007

Dec 6, 2007 Listing (Warranted But Precluded: Resubmitted)
Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notic…
  • Publication type: 12m petition finding
  • Population:
Item 8

Listing

Dec 10, 2008

Dec 10, 2008 Listing (Warranted But Precluded: Resubmitted)
Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notic…
  • Publication type: 12m petition finding
  • Population:
Item 9

Listing

Dec 10, 2008

Dec 10, 2008 Listing
Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notic…
  • Publication type: CNOR
  • Population:
Item 10

Listing

Nov 9, 2009

Nov 9, 2009 Listing
Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice…
  • Publication type: CNOR
  • Population:
Item 11

Listing

Nov 9, 2009

Nov 9, 2009 Listing (Warranted But Precluded: Resubmitted)
Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice…
  • Publication type: 12m petition finding
  • Population:
Item 12

Listing

Nov 10, 2010

Nov 10, 2010 Listing
Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice…
  • Publication type: CNOR
  • Population:
Item 13

Listing

Nov 10, 2010

Nov 10, 2010 Listing (Warranted But Precluded: Resubmitted)
Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice…
  • Publication type: 12m petition finding
  • Population:
Item 14

Listing

Oct 26, 2011

Oct 26, 2011 Listing (Warranted But Precluded: Resubmitted)
Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice…
  • Publication type: 12m petition finding
  • Population:
Item 15

Listing

Oct 26, 2011

Oct 26, 2011 Listing
Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice…
  • Publication type: CNOR
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Item 16

Critical Habitat

Oct 4, 2012

Oct 4, 2012 Critical Habitat
Endangered Species Status for the Fluted Kidneyshell and Slabside Pearlymussel and Designation of Cr…
  • Publication type: Proposed
  • Population:
Item 17

Listing

Oct 4, 2012

Oct 4, 2012 Listing (Endangered)
Endangered Species Status for the Fluted Kidneyshell and Slabside Pearlymussel and Designation of Cr…
  • Publication type: Proposed
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Item 18

Notice

Apr 29, 2013

Apr 29, 2013 Notice
Endangered Status for the Fluted Kidneyshell and Slabside Pearlymussel and Designation of Critical H…
  • Publication type: Comment Period Reopening
  • Population:
Item 19

Critical Habitat

Sep 26, 2013

Sep 26, 2013 Critical Habitat
Designation of Critical Habitat for the Fluted Kidneyshell and Slabside Pearlymussel; Final Rule
  • Publication type: Final
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Item 20

Listing

Sep 26, 2013

Sep 26, 2013 Listing (Endangered)
Endangered Species Status for the Fluted Kidneyshell and Slabside Pearlymussel
  • Publication type: Final
  • Population:
Item 21

Five Year Review

Mar 25, 2020

Mar 25, 2020 Five Year Review (Information Solicitation)
Initiation of 5- Year Status Reviews for 25 Southeastern Species; Request for Information
  • Publication type: Notice
  • Population:
Item 22

Five Year Review

Mar 25, 2020

Mar 25, 2020 Five Year Review (Information Solicitation)
Initiation of 5- Year Status Reviews for 25 Southeastern Species
  • Publication type: Notice
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Item 23

Recovery Plan

Mar 26, 2021

Mar 26, 2021 Recovery Plan (Document Availability (non-FR))
Four Draft Recovery Plans; Notice of Availability
  • Publication type: Draft
  • Population:
Item 24