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Harvesting the River

Genus Pyganodon

Class Bivalvia : Subclass Paleoheterodonta : Genus Pyganodon

Pyganodon grandis (Giant Floater)
The giant floater mussel has a large, thin shell that has a smooth surface and a yellowish-green color. The anterior end is rounded, while the posterior is squared. It grows to ten inches in length. This species lives in the mud-bottom of ponds, lakes, and sluggish pools of creeks and rivers. It occurs across Illinois.
Conservation status: widespread and common
Taxonomy: Order Unionoida; Superfamily Unionoidea; Family Uniodae; Subfamily Anodontinae

Collection of the Illinois State Museum, photograph by Robert Warren
ISM Accession #: 673857

<b><i>Pyganodon grandis</i> (Giant Floater)</b>

Class Bivalvia : Subclass Paleoheterodonta : Genus Pyganodon

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