species
A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...
of
freshwater mussel
Freshwater bivalves are molluscs of the order Bivalvia that inhabit freshwater ecosystems. They are one of the two main groups of freshwater molluscs, along with freshwater snails.
The majority of bivalve molluscs are saltwater species that l ...
in the family
Unionidae
The Unionidae are a Family (biology), family of freshwater mussels, the largest in the order Unionida, the bivalve molluscs sometimes known as river mussels, or simply as unionids.
The range of distribution for this family is world-wide. It is a ...
, the river mussels. It is known commonly as the plain pocketbook.Plain pocketbook, ''Lampsilis cardium''. Unio Gallery. Missouri State University. It is widespread in eastern North America, where it is native to the
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the main stem, primary river of the largest drainage basin in the United States. It is the second-longest river in the United States, behind only the Missouri River, Missouri. From its traditional source of Lake Ita ...
and
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes, also called the Great Lakes of North America, are a series of large interconnected freshwater lakes spanning the Canada–United States border. The five lakes are Lake Superior, Superior, Lake Michigan, Michigan, Lake Huron, H ...
drainage systems.
Reproduction
All Unionidae are known to use the gills, fins, or skin of a host fish for nutrients during the larval glochidia stage. ''Lampsilis cardium'' accomplishes this by having the inner sides of its mantle flaps marked with longitudinal stripes, resembling a small fish of the genus ''
Notropis
''Notropis'' is a genus of freshwater Actinopterygii, ray-finned fish in the family (biology), family Leuciscidae, the shiners, daces and minnows. They are known commonly as eastern shiners.Micropterus coosae'', the mussel larva is released into the gills of the host fish where it feeds and develops.