Slippershell Mussel
Alasmidonta viridis
Mussel Description 2
Small, rhomboidal shell with a prominent posterior ridge angled from the beak to the lower posterior edge. Diffuse green or dark rays on the shell surface. Nacre is white and iridescent posteriorly. Pseudocardinal teeth are triangular, bladelike and weakly
serrated. Lateral teeth are short, fine, and indistinct. The beak sculpture consists of several thick and prominent raised ridges radiating around the beak. (Source: A Field Guide to the Freshwater Mussels of the Chicago Wilderness).
Visually Similar Species in the Milwaukee River Basin 3
Elktoe
The elktoe is much more elongated in shape, has a broader umbo, and is more brightly colored than the slippershell. The ventral edge of the elktoe is more rounded.** The elktoe is also much larger than the slippershell.
**(Source: A Field Guide to the Freshwater Mussels of the Chicago Wilderness).
Status in Milwaukee River Basin 3
Slippershell valves were found uncommonly in the Milwaukee River Basin. No live slippershells were found in the Milwaukee River Basin.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Zac Driscoll, all rights reserved, uploaded by Zac Driscoll
- Adapted by Zac Driscoll from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alasmidonta_viridis
- (c) Zac Driscoll, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
