A new endemic freshwater mussel (Bivalvia, Unionidae) genus and species, <i>Ligodontaobscura</i>, from the Yadkin-Pee Dee River drainage in North Carolina, USA.

ABSTRACT: We describe a new genus and species of freshwater mussel, Ligodontaobscura gen. et sp. nov., using an integrative taxonomic approach consisting of morphological, genetic, biogeographic, and life history information. Specimens of L.obscura are poorly represented in historic collections and were infrequently collected; additionally, the species was originally overlooked as a unique taxon due in part to its small size and superficial morphologic similarities to Lasmigonasubviridis (Conrad, 1835) and Alasmidonta spp. Phylogenetic results place the new species sister to, but consistently distinct from, Alasmidonta s.s. We offer a suite of field-ready diagnostics to differentiate L.obscura from similar and co-occurring species and briefly discuss

SUBMITTER: Perkins MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12355189 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature