Fresh Water Mussel Image Gallery -- Illinois State Museum

Elliptio dilatata (Spike)
The spike mussel shell is thick and elongate with rounded end. The smooth surface is greenish brown, with visible rays in younger individuals. It grows to five inches in length. This species lives in the mud or gravel of streams and sometimes in lakes. It has occurred in all areas of Illinois.
Conservation status: threatened in Illinois
Taxonomy: Order Unionoida; Superfamily Unionoidea; Family Unionidae; Subfamily Ambleminae

Collection of the Illinois State Museum, photograph by Karen Little
ISM Accession #: 675038

<b><i>Elliptio dilatata</i> (Spike)</b>

Class Bivalvia : Subclass Paleoheterodonta : Genus Elliptio

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