Triplodon chodo, a new species of pearly fresh water mussel from the Amazon Basin (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionoida: Hyriidae)

Abstract

A new species of the genus Triplodon Spix, 1827 is described based on shell samples collected on Rivers Jamari (Rondônia State) and Aripuanã (Amazonas State) from the Madeira River Basin; on the Amazon at Oriximiná and on the mouth of Tapajós River at Alter do Chão (Pará State). Triplodon chodo is a new species considered closely related to T. stevensi Lea, 1871, (described from the part of the River Essequibo which borders the Guianas). Triplodon chodo is distinguished from the latter by its smaller, lighter shell, the absence of a wing in the anterior region and by the delicate shape of the external sculpture, which is composed of minuscule nodules organized in rows that converge and crosses on the centre of the valves. The straight and vertical posterior margin forms a right or slightly obtuse angle with the shell's dorsal and ventral margins. The anterior region is short, low and slightly tapering, with the distal extremity situated on the half of the shell height. The dorsal and ventral margins are equally curved.