Brook Floater vs Giant Polypore

Alasmidonta varicosa compared with Meripilus giganteus

Key Differences

• Brook Floater is Vulnerable while Giant Polypore is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Brook Floater	Giant Polypore
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Mollusca (Mollusks)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Bivalvia (Bivalvia)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Unionida (Unionida)	Polyporales (Polyporales)
Family	Unionidae	Meripilaceae
Genus	Alasmidonta	Meripilus
Species	Alasmidonta varicosa	Meripilus giganteus

Conservation Status

Brook Floater

VU — Vulnerable

Giant Polypore

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Brook Floater	Giant Polypore
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Brook Floater

Habitat

Native to North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found in United States. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Giant Polypore

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Brook Floater

The Brook Floater (Alasmidonta varicosa) is a species in the genus Alasmidonta. It is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Native to North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.