Arctic Fingernail Clam

Sphaerium nitidum

General Status Rank: 
Secure
Common Name: 
Arctic Fingernail Clam
Scientific Name: 
Sphaerium nitidum
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mollusc (Freshwater Bivalve)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Mollusca
Class: 
Bivalva (Freshwater)
Order: 
Veneroida
Family: 
Sphaeriidae
References: 
B100
General Biology

Economic/Human Considerations

favorite food of arctic fish
References: 
B100
Habitat
arctic and alpine freshwater spp, thriving in cold water; occurs in large and small lakes and rivers
References: 
B100
Distribution

Ecozones

Northern Arctic, Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B100

Distribution

0.878
Score: 
G
References: 
B100

Number of Occurrences

11 from Aklavik to Rae, and Dehcho (B207) Based on Canadian Museum of Nature records;
Score: 
DE
References: 
B207

Area of Occupancy

Score: 
-
Threats

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Lives 1 year or less and produces few young per year. Dispersal mechanisms apparently good considering its range extent and predilection for deep, cold waters in southern Ontario and cold streams and lakes in northern latitudes.
Score: 
-
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
Status Rank Description: 
- Numerous records from small and large lakes (e.g. Great Slave Lake) and rivers (e.g. Mackenzie River)Its predilection for cold, well-oxygenated waters may limit its spread, but populations would remain stable as long as cold, well-=oxygenated waters persist..Common and usually abundant in both deep and shallow cold standing and running waters (Mackie 2007). CMN (Canadian Museum Nature) shows 20 occurrences, some with high densities, but very likely more widely distributed if more preferred habitats are examined.
S Rank: 
S4S5
Decision Process Description: 
Draft ranks from Gerry Mackie 2015; Reviewed in 2019 by G Mackie (no change)
Last Updated: 
December 14, 2019

References

Economic Status

  • Clarke AH (1981) The Freshwater Molluscs of Canada. National Museums of Canada RWED Library Call #QL407.5.C5 - B100 Return

Ecozones

  • Clarke AH (1981) The Freshwater Molluscs of Canada. National Museums of Canada RWED Library Call #QL407.5.C5 - B100 Return

Habitat

  • Clarke AH (1981) The Freshwater Molluscs of Canada. National Museums of Canada RWED Library Call #QL407.5.C5 - B100 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Clarke, A.H. (1973) Malacologia 13: 1-509 http://ia902505.us.archive.org/3/items/malacologia131973inst/malacologia131973inst.pdf - B207 Return

Range Extent

  • Clarke AH (1981) The Freshwater Molluscs of Canada. National Museums of Canada RWED Library Call #QL407.5.C5 - B100 Return

Taxonomy

  • Clarke AH (1981) The Freshwater Molluscs of Canada. National Museums of Canada RWED Library Call #QL407.5.C5 - B100 Return