This is a demonstration of the ISM freshwater mussel image gallery.
Class Bivalvia : Subclass Paleoheterodonta : Genus Leptodea
Leptodea fragilis (Fragile Papershell)
The fragile papershell mussel shell is thin, as its common name indicates, oblong inshape, and compressed. Younger individuals (such as this specimen) have a dorsal wing. The shell surface is smooth, yellow or yellowish green, with faint rays. It grows to six inches in length. This species lives in the mud, sand, or gravel of streams.
Conservation status: widespread and common
Taxonomy: Order Unionoida; Superfamily Unionoidea; Family Unionidae; Subfamily Lampsilinae
Collection of the Illinois State Museum, photograph by Karen Little
ISM Accession #: 676254
Class Bivalvia : Subclass Paleoheterodonta : Genus Leptodea
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