| Tar River spiny mussel | |
|---|---|
| Elliptio steinstansana | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Unionoida |
| Family: | Unionidae |
| Genus: | Elliptio |
| Species: | E. steinstansana |
| Binomial name | |
|
Elliptio steinstansana R.I. Johnson & Clarke, 1983 |
|
The Tar River spiny mussel or Tar River spinymussel, scientific name Elliptio steinstansana, is a species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This species is endemic to North Carolina in the United States. It is now limited to less than 5% of its probable historical range and it is expected to become extinct without significant human intervention, such as reintroduction. This is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.