Tar River spinymussel


The Tar River spiny mussel or Tar River spinymussel, scientific name Elliptio steinstansana, is a species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This species is endemic to North Carolina in the United States. It is now limited to less than 5% of its probable historical range and it is expected to become extinct without significant human intervention, such as reintroduction. This is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.