OutdoorNebraska

16 found in this state. If only dead or relict shell have been found, that is what is shown. In some cases, where even relict shell are hard to find, I was able to obtain or borrow shell from other states and photograph those to illustrate what they should look like. For two species, the Scaleshell and the Creek heelsplitter, I was not able to obtain specimens but was able to obtain photos from Dr. Kevin Cummings at the Illinois Natural History Survey. One important characteristic that is used to identify species is the beak sculpture. During their first year of life, many species of freshwater mussel develop distinct and prominent sculpturing on the shell's beak taking the form of loops, bars or ridges. Most ID guides attempt to use text to describe these. I have a real problem with these and think that a photograph is worth a thousand words. I have attempted to provide a decent photograph of the beak sculpture of each species to go along with the description. In the field, I have often noted how a shell feels in the hand goes a long way towards identification. Some shells of different species look quite a bit alike in photographs but, when held in the hand, are noticeably different. Now, I cannot place any shells in your hand but I have attempted an alternative method. I have taken a typical shell and cut it lengthwise, flattened the cut edge with emery cloth and photographed the cross section view. In some cases, the cut edge was painted white to increase the visibility of the shell edge. In this way I hope to be able to show shell thickness and how this varies as well as differences in the shell curvature (inflated or compressed). Biological information Description: I do not provide complete descriptions of the shells. Many features such as a rounded anterior end or the lateral teeth are common to most of our mussels and of limited use in identification. Instead, I address those features that are helpful to identifying that particular mussel from the time you first pick it up. Similar species: Here are some species that look a lot like the mussel being described. This includes some pointers on how to separate them. Conservation status: There are three levels of status listed. Global (G), national (N) and state (S). The G, N, or S are then followed by a number showing the level of concern with 5 being good and 1 being endangered. The state level (S) is sometimes followed by a letter. These are H for Historical (probably extirpated from state but not sure), X for Extirpated (Extinct in state) and NR for Not ranked (not enough data at this time).

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