Lithophaga aristata | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Bivalvia |
Order: | Mytilida |
Family: | Mytilidae |
Genus: | Lithophaga |
Species: | L. aristata
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Binomial name | |
Lithophaga aristata (Dillwyn, 1817)
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Synonyms | |
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Lithophaga aristata, or the Scissor date mussel, is a species of bivalve mollusc in the family Mytilidae. It can be found along the Atlantic coast of North America, ranging from North Carolina to Texas and the West Indies.[1]
Lithophaga aristata is known from North Carolina, Florida and the Caribbean.[2] However, it is considered an invasive species in various regions of the globe, and is believed to be mainly dispersed through ballast water.[2][3][4] Records of its occurrence outside the native range include the Brazilian coast, in the states of Ceará, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Santa Catarina;[4] Cape Verde (Santo Antão island);[5] Mauritania, Senegal and Angola.[6]