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Systematics and Distribution of the Recent Margaritiferidae

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Ecology and Evolution of the Freshwater Mussels Unionoida

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 145))

Abstract

A study of the morphologically conservative and allegedly most primitive family of freshwater mussels, the Margaritiferidae, can provide much information in understanding the evolution and adaptive radiation of the only large uniquely freshwater bivalve group, the Unionoida. Although containing only about 5% of the described and recognized unionoid species occurring in Holarctic regions, the Margaritiferidae is wide-ranging in its distribution. Recent species are known from the North American continent, Europe including northernmost Africa, the Middle East, and throughout much of southern and eastern Asia. Margaritiferids, colloquially known as pearl mussels, have received intense study only in the areas of life history, generally confined to European populations, and in earlier literature the general pattern of distribution. Very little work has been done on the relationships among the known species of the family and the characteristics used to assign species to the family. In order to provide a foundation for the ensuing discussion, a brief description of the Margaritiferidae and a definition of the morphological and anatomical traits that diagnose the family from other unionoid groups is presented.

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Authors
  1. Douglas G. Smith
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Biologie I, Universität Freiburg, 79104, Hauptstr. 1, Freiburg, Germany

    Gerhard Bauer

  2. Institut für Zoologie, Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover, 30559, Bünteweg 17, Hannover, Germany

    Klaus Wächtler

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Smith, D.G. (2001). Systematics and Distribution of the Recent Margaritiferidae. In: Bauer, G., Wächtler, K. (eds) Ecology and Evolution of the Freshwater Mussels Unionoida. Ecological Studies, vol 145. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-56869-5_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-56869-5_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-63140-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-56869-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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