Scaleshell mussel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scaleshell mussel |
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| Conservation status | |
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Leptodea
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| Species: |
leptodon
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The Leptodea leptodon, also known as the scaleshell mussel, is a type of freshwater mussel. It belongs to a group called Unionidae, which are often called river mussels. This water animal is a bivalve mollusk, meaning it has two shells that hinge together. Sadly, the scaleshell mussel has vanished from many places where it used to live.
It is a species found only in the United States. Today, you can find it in only four states or fewer. It is most commonly found in Missouri. Because it is so rare, the United States government has listed it as an endangered species. This means it is protected by law to help it survive.
Contents
What Does the Scaleshell Mussel Look Like?
This mussel usually grows up to 10 centimeters long. Some older ones can even reach 12 centimeters. Its shell is very thin and you can sometimes see through parts of it. The shell can be yellowish, greenish, or brownish.
Inside the shell, there is a shiny layer called nacre. This nacre is very colorful and shimmers like a rainbow. It can be blue or purple, sometimes with hints of pink or copper. Scaleshell mussels show sexual dimorphism. This means males and females look a bit different. Males have a pointed back end, while females have a ruffled end.
Where Do Scaleshell Mussels Live?
In the past, the scaleshell mussel lived in 56 rivers across 13 states. These states were all part of the Mississippi River system. They included Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Even though it was found in many places, it was always considered rare.
Today, this mussel has disappeared completely from nine of those states. You can still find small groups in Missouri, South Dakota, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. In the last 25 years, it has been seen in only 18 rivers. The biggest groups that are left are very small and spread out. They live in the Meramec, Bourbeuse, and Gasconade Rivers in Missouri.
Scaleshell Mussel Reproduction
Most freshwater mussels reproduce by releasing tiny young, called glochidia, into the water. These glochidia then attach to fish. They usually stick to the fish's gills or fins. While attached, they grow into young mussels. After they have grown enough, they drop off the fish and settle into the riverbed.
Scientists do not know much about how scaleshell mussels get their glochidia onto fish. It might happen if a fish tries to eat the adult female mussel. The main fish that helps this mussel reproduce is the freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens).
Scaleshell Mussel Habitat
This mussel prefers to live in medium to large rivers. You can often find it in riffles, which are shallow, rocky parts of a river. It likes areas with a slow or medium current. The scaleshell mussel often buries itself a few centimeters deep in the river bottom. The bottom can be made of sand, gravel, rocks, or mud. Where suitable places still exist, you might find scaleshell mussels living alongside other mussel species.
Threats to the Scaleshell Mussel
The biggest danger to the scaleshell mussel is the loss and damage of its home. Many rivers have been changed by humans. For example, channelization (making rivers straighter) and building dams have destroyed large areas where mussels used to live.
Also, more sediment (like dirt and sand) and pollution are harming the remaining habitats. The best groups of mussels in the Meramec River are at risk from pollution caused by lead mining. Activities like Sand mining and dredging (digging up the riverbed) also kill mussels. When riverbanks wear away due to erosion, it removes mussel habitat. It can also increase the amount of sediment and pollution in the water.
See also
In Spanish: Leptodea leptodon para niños
Images for kids
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A scaleshell mussel, showing its thin, iridescent shell.
