Ellipse
Venustaconcha ellipsiformis
Mussel Description 2
Small, moderately thin shelled when younger, elongated with broadly pointed posterior end. Many green rays cover yellow to brown younger shells. Oldest shells may be black, thick, and heavy. Moderately compressed shell. Beak very far forward. Pseudocardinal teeth small but distinct, somewhat bladelike and triangular, roughened by grooves and striations. Two in the left valve, one more peglike tooth, in the right. (Source: A Field Guide to the Freshwater Mussels of the Chicago Wilderness).
Visually Similar Species in the Milwaukee River Basin 2
Rainbow and Spike
Rainbow mussels are very rare. The rainbow has interrupted green rays on its shell. The spike is usually much more elongate, often with a purplish nacre.
(Source: A Field Guide to the Freshwater Mussels of the Chicago Wilderness).
Status in the Milwaukee River Basin 2
Ellipse are listed as a Threatened species in the state of Wisconsin.
Ellipse valves were found somewhat commonly. Live mussels were only found in one site, though it is not expected to be widespread in the basin.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Zac Driscoll, all rights reserved, uploaded by Zac Driscoll
- (c) Zac Driscoll, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
