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Harvesting the River

Genus Potamilus

Class Bivalvia : Subclass Paleoheterodonta : Genus Potamilus

Potamilus purpuratus (Bleufer)
The bleufer mussel shell is a thin, elongate, rectangular shell with a smooth, dark brown surface. It grows to a length of eight inches. The species lives in the mud or mixed mud and gravel of large rivers. In Illinois is is found only at the extreme southern tip.
Conservation status: a southern species; Species of Special Concern in Illinois.
Taxonomy: Order Unionoida; Superfamily Unionoidea; Family Unionidae; Subfamily Lampsilinae

Collection of the Illinois State Museum, photograph by Karen Little
ISM Accession #: 677424

<b><i>Potamilus purpuratus</i> (Bleufer)</b>

Class Bivalvia : Subclass Paleoheterodonta : Genus Potamilus

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