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"Dead" indicates the shell is in good
condition but no tissue remains. The
exterior of the shell is in nice shape
with a bright, shiny interior and the
valves will usually be connected. At
the left is a dead shell that has been
separated for photographing.
"Weathered dead" shell show wear
and age. The exterior may be worn
and missing some epidermis. The
nacre is dull or discolored and a
thumb rubbed across the inside of the
shell comes away white. The teeth
will start to show wear and you often
find single valves. "Chalky" is a
heavily worn shell similar to that
shown at the right. The exterior will
be missing most of its epidermis.
The teeth are worn and valves are
rarely found together. Shell will often
be found as broken fragments and the
older it is, the more likely you will find
only fragments. If only Weathered
dead and Chalky shell can be found at
a site, it is assumed that the species
has disappeared from that area.
Live Mapleleaf, Big Blue River; note stream
of water squirting out of the mussel.
Mapleleaf, dead shell in very good condition
but no tissue remaining
Mapleleaf in relict condition
Rock pocket-book from archeological dig in
Sarpy County
