Pisidium amnicum

Pisidium amnicum

The greater european peaclam

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SPECIES
Pisidium amnicum

Pisidium amnicum is a species of very small freshwater clam, sometimes known as the greater European peaclam or the River pea shell. It is an aquatic bivalve in the family Sphaeriidae.

Appearance

Although only 9 mm (range 7–11 mm) in length, this species is considerably larger than most Pisidium species, and has a fairly thick, concentrically ridged shell. Its shell is solid, glossy, triangular-oval in shape, and has broad but not prominent umbos often coated with a dull ferruginous deposit. Its colour is grey-white to brown, often with a greenish cast.

Distribution

Geography

Its native distribution is Palearctic. The species has been introduced to northeastern North America.

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  • Czech Republic – endangered (EN), endangered in Bohemia (EN), critically endangered in Moravia
  • Slovakia
  • Germany – highly endangered (Stark gefährdet )
  • Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden (not in the Faroe Islands)
  • Great Britain and Ireland

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Habits and Lifestyle

In Europe, it requires clean water and high levels of calcium.

Diet and Nutrition

References

1. Pisidium amnicum Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisidium_amnicum
2. Pisidium amnicum on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/155719/4829754

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