{{Short description|Genus of bivalves}} {{Speciesbox | image = Naturalis Biodiversity Center - ZMA.MOLL.418878 - Plectomerus dombeyanus (Humboldt & Bonpland, 1827) - Unionidae - Mollusc shell.jpeg | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name = IUCN>{{cite iucn | author1 = Cummings, K. | title = ''Plectomerus dombeyanus'' | year = 2012 | article-number = e.T173069A1377669 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T173069A1377669.en |access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref> | status2 = G5 | status2_system = TNC | status2_ref = <ref name=NatureServe>{{cite NatureServe |id=2.108563 |title=''Plectomerus dombeyanus'' |access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref> | genus = Plectomerus | parent_authority = Conrad, 1853 | display_parents = 2 | species = dombeyanus | authority = (Valenciennes in Humboldt & Bonpland, 1827) | synonyms = *''Amblema dombeyanus'' *''Quadrula trapezoides'' }}
'''''Plectomerus''''' is a monotypic genus of freshwater mussels in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mussel-project.uwsp.edu/motm/2017/17-01.html |title=Mussel of the month|work=MUSSELpdb |publisher=The Mussel Project |access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref> The sole species in the genus is ''Plectomerus dombeyanus''. Its common name is '''bankclimber''', as it can be found buried in steep slopes a considerable distance from water.<ref name=ResearchGate>{{cite web |url=https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Bankclimber-Plectomerus-dombeyanus-INHS-42354-from-the-Ohio-River-at-river-mile-970_fig1_275969357 |title=Bankclimber ''Plectomerus dombeyanus'' |website=ResearchGate |access-date=23 October 2022}}</ref>
==Distribution== This species is native to the Southeastern United States, from [[Texas]] to [[Florida]], ranging as far north as [[Illinois]].<ref name=NatureServe/><ref name=ResearchGate/>
==Description== This mussel is not [[sexual dimorphism|sexually dimorphic]]; the sexes appear the same. The shell is somewhat rhomboidal shaped, up to {{convert|150|mm|in}} long. The shell is greenish brown to brown, darkening to black with age, and its [[nacre]] is usually deep purple.{{citation needed|date=December 2025}}
==References== {{Commons category|Plectomerus}} {{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q31185006|from2=Q3804872}}
[[Category:Monotypic bivalve genera]] [[Category:Unionidae]]
{{Unionidae-stub}}