taxonID	type	format	identifier	references	title	description	created	creator	contributor	publisher	audience	source	license	rightsHolder	datasetID
F5F475F674C1527CA9ECD4B75BAFC3AD.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/1390087	https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1248.152952.figure3	Figure 3. Ligodonta obscura, Holotype NCSM 221198. A. Right valve exterior view; B. Right valve interior view; C. View of right valve dentition profile from ventral margin C 1 detail of right valve pseudocardinal tooth; D. Right valve exterior view with backlight; E. Left valve exterior view; F. Left valve interior view; G. View of left valve dentition profile from ventral margin G 1 detail of left valve pseudocardinal tooth; H. Left valve exterior view with backlight; I. Ligament view with posterior facing left. Specimen length = 35.8 mm.	Figure 3. Ligodonta obscura, Holotype NCSM 221198. A. Right valve exterior view; B. Right valve interior view; C. View of right valve dentition profile from ventral margin C 1 detail of right valve pseudocardinal tooth; D. Right valve exterior view with backlight; E. Left valve exterior view; F. Left valve interior view; G. View of left valve dentition profile from ventral margin G 1 detail of left valve pseudocardinal tooth; H. Left valve exterior view with backlight; I. Ligament view with posterior facing left. Specimen length = 35.8 mm.	2025-08-07	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.		Zenodo	biologists	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.			
F5F475F674C1527CA9ECD4B75BAFC3AD.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/1390088	https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1248.152952.figure4	Figure 4. Ligodonta obscura, paratypes. A – D. NCSM 47145; A. Right valve exterior view; B. Right valve interior and soft tissues; C. Left valve exterior view; D. Left valve interior; E. Ligament view with posterior facing left. Specimen length = 27.3 mm; E – H. USNM 1607186; F. Right valve exterior view; G. Right valve interior and soft tissues; H. Left valve exterior view; I. Left valve interior; J. Ligament view with posterior facing left. Specimen length = 34.2 mm.	Figure 4. Ligodonta obscura, paratypes. A – D. NCSM 47145; A. Right valve exterior view; B. Right valve interior and soft tissues; C. Left valve exterior view; D. Left valve interior; E. Ligament view with posterior facing left. Specimen length = 27.3 mm; E – H. USNM 1607186; F. Right valve exterior view; G. Right valve interior and soft tissues; H. Left valve exterior view; I. Left valve interior; J. Ligament view with posterior facing left. Specimen length = 34.2 mm.	2025-08-07	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.		Zenodo	biologists	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.			
F5F475F674C1527CA9ECD4B75BAFC3AD.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/1390089	https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1248.152952.figure5	Figure 5. Ligodonta obscura, other material examined. Specimens in upper row, columns A – E with soft tissues (*) and / or genetic data (†) available (Table 1); specimens in lower row, columns F – J consist of dry valves only. Photos of left valve exterior and right valve interior. A. NCSM 29612 *, length (l = 37 mm; B. NCSM 221197.1 †, l = 33.4 mm; C. NCSM 221197.2 †, l = 39.4 mm; D. NCSM 221197.3 †, l = 37.2 mm; E. NCSM 221201 * †, l = 39.2 mm; F. NCSM 221200, l = 46.1 mm; G. NCSM 221199, l = 46.2 mm; H. USNM 1607185, l = 35.5 mm; I. 210618.1 kld, l = 33.6 mm; J. NCSM 221195, l = 34.7 mm.	Figure 5. Ligodonta obscura, other material examined. Specimens in upper row, columns A – E with soft tissues (*) and / or genetic data (†) available (Table 1); specimens in lower row, columns F – J consist of dry valves only. Photos of left valve exterior and right valve interior. A. NCSM 29612 *, length (l = 37 mm; B. NCSM 221197.1 †, l = 33.4 mm; C. NCSM 221197.2 †, l = 39.4 mm; D. NCSM 221197.3 †, l = 37.2 mm; E. NCSM 221201 * †, l = 39.2 mm; F. NCSM 221200, l = 46.1 mm; G. NCSM 221199, l = 46.2 mm; H. USNM 1607185, l = 35.5 mm; I. 210618.1 kld, l = 33.6 mm; J. NCSM 221195, l = 34.7 mm.	2025-08-07	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.		Zenodo	biologists	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.			
F5F475F674C1527CA9ECD4B75BAFC3AD.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/1390090	https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1248.152952.figure6	Figure 6. Morphological diagnosis of Ligodonta obscura shell characters. A. Length does not exceed 50 mm; B. Umbo slightly above hingeline, posterior ridge higher than umbo; C. Posterior slope lacking corrugations; D. Ventral margin nearly straight; E. Periostracum dark, thin, papery; F. Lateral teeth absent; G. Pseudocardinal teeth greatly reduced or rudimentary. Holotype specimen NCSM 221198.	Figure 6. Morphological diagnosis of Ligodonta obscura shell characters. A. Length does not exceed 50 mm; B. Umbo slightly above hingeline, posterior ridge higher than umbo; C. Posterior slope lacking corrugations; D. Ventral margin nearly straight; E. Periostracum dark, thin, papery; F. Lateral teeth absent; G. Pseudocardinal teeth greatly reduced or rudimentary. Holotype specimen NCSM 221198.	2025-08-07	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.		Zenodo	biologists	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.			
F5F475F674C1527CA9ECD4B75BAFC3AD.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/1390094	https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1248.152952.figure10	Figure 10. Five live individuals of Ligodonta obscura collected from the type locality, 24 September 2019. Photo credit: Michael A. Perkins, NCWRC.	Figure 10. Five live individuals of Ligodonta obscura collected from the type locality, 24 September 2019. Photo credit: Michael A. Perkins, NCWRC.	2025-08-07	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.		Zenodo	biologists	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.			
F5F475F674C1527CA9ECD4B75BAFC3AD.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/1390091	https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1248.152952.figure7	Figure 7. Ligodonta obscura in life. Live specimen held at the Marion Center for Aquatic Conservation in January 2022. Holotype specimen NCSM 221198.	Figure 7. Ligodonta obscura in life. Live specimen held at the Marion Center for Aquatic Conservation in January 2022. Holotype specimen NCSM 221198.	2025-08-07	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.		Zenodo	biologists	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.			
F5F475F674C1527CA9ECD4B75BAFC3AD.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/1390092	https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1248.152952.figure8	Figure 8. Glochidia release and glochidia morphology. A. Glochidia release by a gravid female Ligodonta obscura under laboratory conditions, white arrow denotes larval glochidia attached to a thin mucus thread being released from the excurrent aperture; B. Glochidia occasionally have a pink or red hue; C. Ventral view of mature glochidia; D. Lateral view of mature glochidia, black arrow indicates styliform hook with microstylets; E. Open glochidia shell illustrating subtriangular shape.	Figure 8. Glochidia release and glochidia morphology. A. Glochidia release by a gravid female Ligodonta obscura under laboratory conditions, white arrow denotes larval glochidia attached to a thin mucus thread being released from the excurrent aperture; B. Glochidia occasionally have a pink or red hue; C. Ventral view of mature glochidia; D. Lateral view of mature glochidia, black arrow indicates styliform hook with microstylets; E. Open glochidia shell illustrating subtriangular shape.	2025-08-07	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.		Zenodo	biologists	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.			
F5F475F674C1527CA9ECD4B75BAFC3AD.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/1390085	https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1248.152952.figure1	Figure 1. Terrain map of survey locations and the known range of Ligodonta obscura. Red stream segments indicate the range of the species from continuous element occurrence data (NCWRC and NCSM records) with ~ 1 km up and downstream buffers; the continuous red line represents the current range within Little River, the dashed red line represents the potential range within Barnes Creek. Black circles indicate recent survey locations (2016–2022) in the Uwharrie and Little River watersheds where L. obscura was not encountered, open circles indicate additional historic survey records (before 2016) where the species was not encountered. Green shading represents conserved or protected land boundaries, gray shading represents municipal boundaries. A. The boundaries of North Carolina and surrounding states; gray shading represents the Yadkin-PeeDee River drainage and red shading represents the Uwharrie River and Little River watersheds; B. An example of typical habitat preferred by the species in Little River near the type locality (24 September 2019, photo credit: M. A. Perkins).	Figure 1. Terrain map of survey locations and the known range of Ligodonta obscura. Red stream segments indicate the range of the species from continuous element occurrence data (NCWRC and NCSM records) with ~ 1 km up and downstream buffers; the continuous red line represents the current range within Little River, the dashed red line represents the potential range within Barnes Creek. Black circles indicate recent survey locations (2016–2022) in the Uwharrie and Little River watersheds where L. obscura was not encountered, open circles indicate additional historic survey records (before 2016) where the species was not encountered. Green shading represents conserved or protected land boundaries, gray shading represents municipal boundaries. A. The boundaries of North Carolina and surrounding states; gray shading represents the Yadkin-PeeDee River drainage and red shading represents the Uwharrie River and Little River watersheds; B. An example of typical habitat preferred by the species in Little River near the type locality (24 September 2019, photo credit: M. A. Perkins).	2025-08-07	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.		Zenodo	biologists	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.			
F5F475F674C1527CA9ECD4B75BAFC3AD.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/1390093	https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1248.152952.figure9	Figure 9. Comparisons of Ligodonta with other species. Top row illustrates some external shell characteristics of the left valve for select specimens (all specimens ~ 25–30 mm in length): column A. Ligodonta obscura (NCSM 47155); B. Lasmigona subviridis (NCSM 30555); C. Lasmigona decorata (NCSM 43859.1); D. Alasmidonta uwharriensis (NCSM 33164). Of note are double-looped beak structure (dashed circles) in specimens B and C, and corrugations along the posterior slope (dashed oval) in specimen D, neither of which are characteristic of L. obscura (see “ Comparisons ” section in text). Middle row illustrates internal shell characteristics of the right valve; L. obscura lacks the lateral teeth characteristic of Lasmigona specimens B and C, and the pronounced interdental projection of D. Bottom row illustrates dentition characters of the right valve; arrows highlight rounded pseudocardinal teeth in specimens A and D (although D with more prominent projection), sculptured articulated dentition in B and C; drawn lines highlight lateral dentition profile: short and inflated in specimens A and D, long, thin and prominent in specimens B and C.	Figure 9. Comparisons of Ligodonta with other species. Top row illustrates some external shell characteristics of the left valve for select specimens (all specimens ~ 25–30 mm in length): column A. Ligodonta obscura (NCSM 47155); B. Lasmigona subviridis (NCSM 30555); C. Lasmigona decorata (NCSM 43859.1); D. Alasmidonta uwharriensis (NCSM 33164). Of note are double-looped beak structure (dashed circles) in specimens B and C, and corrugations along the posterior slope (dashed oval) in specimen D, neither of which are characteristic of L. obscura (see “ Comparisons ” section in text). Middle row illustrates internal shell characteristics of the right valve; L. obscura lacks the lateral teeth characteristic of Lasmigona specimens B and C, and the pronounced interdental projection of D. Bottom row illustrates dentition characters of the right valve; arrows highlight rounded pseudocardinal teeth in specimens A and D (although D with more prominent projection), sculptured articulated dentition in B and C; drawn lines highlight lateral dentition profile: short and inflated in specimens A and D, long, thin and prominent in specimens B and C.	2025-08-07	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.		Zenodo	biologists	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.			
F5F475F674C1527CA9ECD4B75BAFC3AD.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage	image/png	https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/1390086	https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1248.152952.figure2	Figure 2. Concatenated mtDNA and ITS 1 phylogenetic tree from maximum-likelihood analysis in IQ-Tree. Terminal tips collapsed to aid visualization; the full tree is available as Suppl. material 1. Nodes are labeled with ultrafast bootstrap support. Scale bar represents substitutions per site. Ligodonta obscura sp. nov. is labeled in bold.	Figure 2. Concatenated mtDNA and ITS 1 phylogenetic tree from maximum-likelihood analysis in IQ-Tree. Terminal tips collapsed to aid visualization; the full tree is available as Suppl. material 1. Nodes are labeled with ultrafast bootstrap support. Scale bar represents substitutions per site. Ligodonta obscura sp. nov. is labeled in bold.	2025-08-07	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.		Zenodo	biologists	Perkins, Michael A.;DeVilbiss, Katharine L.;Whelan, Nathan V.;Hoch, Rachael A.;Jones, Brena K.;Mays, Jason W.;Evans, Heather K.;Benfield, Sierra B.			
