Creek heelsplitter
Lasmigona compressa (Lea, 1829) |
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Creek heelsplitter |
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| Lasmigona compressa, INHS 8901. East Fork Spoon River, Stark County, Illinois. Length: 3.2 inches (8.1 cm).
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| Other common names None.
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| Key characters Relatively thin, elongate shell, well-developed lateral teeth, prominent flattened posterior ridge, double-looped beak sculpture.
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| Similar species Fluted-shell, white heelsplitter.
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| Description Shell small to medium-sized, elongate, relatively thin, and compressed. Anterior end broadly rounded, posterior end bluntly pointed and squared at the tip. Posterior ridge prominent and broadly flattened with a small wing behind the umbo, usually more evident in small shells. Dorsal margin
straight, ventral margin rounded, occasionally straight. Umbos projecting
slightly above the hinge line. Beak sculpture of five to eight double-looped
ridges. Shell smooth and yellowish brown with numerous green rays in young
individuals, becoming darker green or brown in older shells. Length to 4 inches
(10.2 cm). Pseudocardinal teeth well developed; two in the left valve, one in the right. Lateral teeth short, thin, and finely serrated; two in the left valve, one in the right. Beak cavity very shallow. Nacre white to salmon-colored, especially near the beak cavities.
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| Habitat Creeks and the headwaters of small to medium rivers in fine gravel or sand. Rarely found in larger rivers.
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Status Widespread but uncommon. Threatened in Illinois and Iowa.
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