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Pisidium casertanum (Poli, 1791)
Pea Cockle; Ubiquitous Peaclam
Family: Sphaeriidae
Introduction to the Molluscs of BC

Photograph

© Ian Gardiner     (Photo ID #95948)

Map

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Distribution of Pisidium casertanum in British Columbia in British Columbia

Species Information


Pisidium casertanum has a cosmopolitan distribution, and is the most widely distributed mollusc in the world (Mackie, 2007). It is the most abundant Canadian sphaeriid (Clarke, 1981), and is found in all parts of Canada except the northernmost Arctic islands (Mackie, 2007). It is widely distributed in British Columbia.

This species has adapted itself to a wide variety of habitats, including ponds and swamps that dry up for several months of the year, creeks with considerable current, rivers, and lakes (Herrington, 1962). In his study of the molluscs of the Canadian Interior Basin, Clarke (1973) found this species associated with a variety of bottom deposits, but predominantly mud.

Note Author: Ian Gardiner

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeS5YellowNot Listed



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Additional Range and Status Information Links

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Species References

Clarke, A.H. 1973. The freshwater molluscs of the Canadian Interior Basin. Malacologia 13 (1-2): 1-509.

Clarke, A.H. 1981. The freshwater molluscs of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences, National Museums of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario: 446pp.

Herrington, H.B. 1962. A revision of the Sphaeriidae of North America (Mollusca: Pelecypoda). Miscellaneous Publications, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, No. 118: 74pp, 7 plates.

Mackie, G.L. 2007. Biology of freshwater corbiculid and sphaeriid clams of North America. Ohio Biological Survey Bulletin New Series. Vol XV No. 3: ix + 436pp.

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