Top Level
: Harvesting
: Mussels
: Mussel Species
The Spike, Elliptio dilatata (Rafinesque, 1820),was formerly very abundant in the central and upper reaches of the Illinois River, as indicated by archaeological and historical data. It was never valued commercially because of its purple interior (nacre).
Illinois State Museum Collection (ISM-679823)
Photograph by Robert E. Warren, Illinois State Museum.