This is a demonstration of the ISM freshwater mussel image gallery.
Class Bivalvia : Subclass Paleoheterodonta : Genus Plethobasus
Plethobasus cyphyus (Sheepnose)
The sheepnose mussel shell is oblong, thick, and grows to five inches in length. The smooth surface is yellow or light brown, darkening in adults. This specimen shows the knobs or tubercles and the furrow between them and the posterior ridge. This species lives in the gravel or mixed sand and gravel in medium to large rivers. It has occurred throughout Illinois except for the Chicago area.
Conservation status: endangered in Illinois
Taxonomy: Order Unionoida; Superfamily Unionoidea; Family Unionidae; Subfamily Ambleminae
Collection of the Illinois State Museum, photograph by Karen Little
ISM Accession #: 667156
Class Bivalvia : Subclass Paleoheterodonta : Genus Plethobasus
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