Marshall, 1922
Original Description: Anodontites pittieri Marshall, W.B. 1922. New pearly fresh water mussels from South America. Proceedings of the United States National Museum. 61(16):1-9 + 3 plates.
Type Locality: Guaremales [?], Venezuela.
Holotype: USNM 339954.
Synonymy:
- Anodontites pittieri Marshall, 1922
- Baker, 1930:68.
Description: “Shell high, roundly subquadrate, compressed, rather thin, slightly thicker at the middle than at the ends. Valves closed all around. Convexity is nearly equally rounded, without a clearly defined posterior ridge, with several obsolete radiating ribs on the posterior dorsal area; these ribs have faint indications of green coloring. The anterior portion of the surface is vernicose. Posterior portion dull and much roughened by concentric lamellae of periostracum. The middle portion has several radiating, faintly impressed lines and several radiating ruffings of the periostracum. Principal rest periods six, indicated by dark concentric lines. The vicinity of the beak’s flesh color, the rest of the shell is a dark straw color, depending on the light chestnut in front. Nacre is pinkish and slightly pearly, in the cavity of the shell, brilliantly iridescent at the adductor scars, and in a band just above the prismatic border. Interior everywhere finely radiated striated except on the prismatic borders. All adductor scars are superficial, not appreciable to the touch. Prismatic border very broad, occupying one-seventh of the height of the shell, and of a livid, slightly greenish hue, minutely granulous. Simulus is very large, distinctly hooked at its lower end.
The type (Cat. No. 339954, USNM) measures: Length 50 mm., height 35 mm., diameter 17 mm. It comes from Guaremales, Venezuela, and was collected by Henry Pittier, Ph.D., of the United States Department of Agriculture. This species is named in honor of Henry Pittier, Ph.D., whose explorations in tropical America have greatly enriched the National Museum’s collections.
This species is classified next to A. tortilis Lea, of which A. luteolus Lea and A. schomburgianus Sowerby are supposed to be synonyms. A pittieri has more chunky form, a pinkish nacre instead of bluish, has a prismatic border about three times as wide, and has a much larger sinulus which has a distinct hook at its lower end. The anterior adductor scars of tortilis are deeply impressed, while those of pittieri are entirely superficial.” (Marshall, 1922:6-7).
Comments: I have been unable to locate the type locality (Guaremales ) on any map or find the name in any gazeteer.
Specimens Examined: USNM 339954. Guaremales [?], Venezuela.
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