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Harvesting the River

Genus Obovaria

Class Bivalvia : Subclass Paleoheterodonta : Genus Obovaria

Obovaria retusa (Ring Pink)
The ring pink mussel shell is thick and somewhat inflated into a unique curved shape. The umbos are high and swollen. The smooth surface is a dull, reddish brown. It grows to three inches in length.
This species lives in the gravel or mud of large rivers. In Illinois, it inhabits the waters of the Ohio and Wabash Rivers.
Conservation status: Federally endangered.
Taxonomy: Order Unionoioda, Superfamily Unionoidea, Family Unionidae, Subfamily Lampsilinae.

Collection of the Illinois State Museum, photograph by Karen Little
ISM Accession #: 677037

<b><i>Obovaria retusa</i> (Ring Pink)</b>

Class Bivalvia : Subclass Paleoheterodonta : Genus Obovaria

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