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Mississippi National River and Recreation AreaLock and Dam #1
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Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Paperfloater
(Anodonta imbecillis) Say, 1829
A Paperfloater
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Other Common Names:
Paper pondshell, papershell
Habitat:
Found in none moving bodies of water such as ponds and lakes and mud-bottom pools of rivers and creeks.
Length:
Up to 4 inches (10.2 cm).
Outer Shell Color:
Brownish green to brown, of lighter color in younger mussels. Sometimes with green rays.
Inner Shell Color:
White, or bluish white and of rainbow color towards the end farthest from where the two halves meet.
Shell Thickness:
Thin.
Shell Outline:
Longer than it is wide. The end closest to where the two halves meet is round, while its opposite end is somewhat pointed. The bottom of the shell is moderately straight to round.
Shell Surface:
Smooth and shiny, and may be transparents in some individuals.
Scientific Description:
Green, brown, or yellow, fragile shell with green rays. Compressed or inflated. Moderately elongate, subrectangular. Posterior end pointed;dorsal margin straight. Beaks compressed. Sculpture consists of weak ridges.
Similar Looking Mussels:
Host Fish:
Two widspread, common fishes.
Distribution:
Widespread and locally abundant.
Minnesota State Listing:
None.
Federal Listing:
None.
The wide Mississippi River  

Did You Know?
At Lake Onalaska, near LaCrosse Wisconsin, the Mississippi River is about 4 miles wide. Mississippi River water held behind Lock and Dam #7 and water held by damming the Black River form this broad reach of the Mississippi River.

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Last Updated: September 20, 2006 at 13:09 EST