Wabash Pigtoe
Fusconaia flava
Mussel Description 2
Small to medium sized, fairly thick shell, somewhat triangular in shape. Shallow depression (sulcus) on posterior half of shell. Shell color yellowish tan, to dark brown, occasionally with faint rays, and the periostracum is somewhat rough in texture. Beak sculpture is very weak. Umbo is raised above the hinge line of the shell. Grows to around 4 inches. (Source: A Field Guide to the Freshwater Mussels of the Chicago Wilderness).
Visually Similar Species in the Milwaukee River Basin 3
Round Pigtoe
Round pigtoes were not found in Milwaukee Riverkeeper's survey, though their presence has been noted by others. Round pigtoes lack a sulcus (depression) on posterior half of shell. Wabash pigtoes are more triangular than round pigtoes. (Source: A Field Guide to the Freshwater Mussels of the Chicago Wilderness).
Status in the Milwaukee River Basin 3
Wabash pigtoes were found widespread within the Milwaukee River Basin. Both valves and live mussels were found.
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/Fusconaia_flava
- (c) Zac Driscoll, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
