Wavy-rayed lampmussel facts for kids
The wavy-rayed lampmussel (Lampsilis fasciola) is a special kind of freshwater mussel. It's an animal that lives in water and has two shells, like a clam. These mussels are part of the Unionidae family, also known as river mussels.
Quick facts for kids Wavy-rayed lampmussel |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Lampsilis
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| Species: |
fasciola
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Contents
What Does the Wavy-Rayed Lampmussel Look Like?
This mussel is quite small. It usually grows to about 7.5 centimeters (3 inches) long, but some can reach up to 10 centimeters (4 inches). You can find them in parts of Southern Ontario, Canada, and the northeastern United States.
Their shells are usually yellow or yellowish-green. They get their name from the many thin, wavy lines that cover their shells. These lines can be separate or join together to make wider rays.
The top part of the shell, called the beak, is a little bit raised. It has 3 to 5 wavy lines on it. The shell itself can be flat or a bit puffy, especially in females. The front end is round, while the back end is a bit pointy in males and round in females.
Inside, the shell has a shiny, pearly lining called nacre, which is usually white or bluish. The shell is mostly smooth, but it might have some wrinkles or growth lines.
Where Do Wavy-Rayed Lampmussels Live?
Wavy-rayed lampmussels have historically lived in Southern Ontario and 13 U.S. states, especially in the Ohio watershed. In Ontario, they have been found in rivers like the Ausable, Grand, Maitland, and Thames.
These mussels like to live in streams with good currents. They prefer bottoms made of gravel and sand. You'll often find them near fast-moving parts of the stream called riffles. They are rarely found in very large rivers.
How Do They Grow? Life Cycle and Fish Friends
Like many mussels, the baby wavy-rayed lampmussels are very tiny and are called larvae. These larvae need to attach themselves to a fish to grow. They are like tiny passengers, getting nutrients from the fish's body.
Once they grow bigger and become young mussels, they drop off the fish. Fish that help the wavy-rayed lampmussel include the largemouth bass and the smallmouth bass. These fish are super important for keeping mussel populations healthy!
What Dangers Do Wavy-Rayed Lampmussels Face?
Wavy-rayed lampmussels are very sensitive to changes in water quality. This means they can get sick from chemicals like copper, ammonia, and chloride that get into their water. This is especially true when they are tiny larvae or young mussels.
Losing their homes (habitat) and water pollution have caused their numbers to go down. Another big problem is the zebra mussel, which is an invasive species. Zebra mussels attach themselves to hard surfaces, including other mussels.
When zebra mussels attach to wavy-rayed lampmussels, they make it hard for them to eat, move, and have babies. This causes even more problems for the native mussels.
Other dangers include:
- Changes in how rivers flow naturally.
- Too much dirt or silt in the water.
- Damage to river channels.
- Pollution from specific sources (like factories) or from many places (like runoff from farms).
- Other non-native species.
Planting trees and plants along riverbanks can help protect mussel homes from many of these threats.
Are Wavy-Rayed Lampmussels Safe? Conservation Status
In Canada, the wavy-rayed lampmussel was once listed as "endangered" under the Species at Risk Act. This meant they were at very high risk of disappearing.
However, in 2010, their numbers seemed to be increasing. So, their status was changed. As of March 2013, they are listed as "Special Concern" under the Species at Risk Act. This means they are not in immediate danger, but we still need to watch them carefully to make sure their populations stay healthy.
