OutdoorNebraska

52 Mapleleaf, Quadrula quadrula Description: The Mapleleaf is a smaller mussel, usually less than 125mm long. It is squarish in outline. The anterior end is rounded. The posterior end has a prominent sulcus (groove) ahead of a posterior ridge. Some Mapleleafs have a smooth exterior but most have two rows of large pustules, one on each side of the sulcus. The color is a light tan in young Mapleleafs while older individuals are a medium or dark brown. The nacre is white. The anterior end of the shell is fairly thick while the posterior is much thinner. The pseudocardinal teeth are large and heavy while the lateral teeth are short and moderately heavy. The beaks are raised above the dorsal margin. The beak sculpture consists of an extension of the rows of pustules that wrap right around the beak. Similar species: The Mapleleaf and Pimpleback are often found together and are quite similar. The Mapleleaf tends to be more squarish, has a deeper sulcus, has rows of pustules on both sides of the sulcus and is a bit more compressed. The Pimpleback is rounder, has a barely visible sulcus, is more inflated and, in Nebraska, seldom has pustules. If pustules are present, they tend to run right down the middle of the sulcus. Young Pimplebacks have a single broad green stripe down the middle of the sulcus which is sometimes still visible in adults. Conservation status: G5, N5, S5. The Mapleleaf is one of the species that is doing well. Hosts: Channel catfish, flathead catfish. Habitats used: Medium to large rivers and reservoirs in mud, sand or gravel (Cummings and Mayer 1992). Rivers on bottoms with small to medium gravel or rocks. May adapt to a lake environment (Oesch 1995). An adaptable species that does well in shallow lakes or deep reservoirs on sand or gravel substrate (Parmalee and Bogan 1998). Moving water in muddy sand and cobble in large creek and rivers, lakes, and large impoundments (Watters et.al. 2009). Distribution: Pretty much the entire Mississippi River basin as far north as North Dakota and Minnesota. Also the Red River of the North into Canada. Collection notes: The Mapleleaf is fairly widespread in the southeastern half of the state. While it is common in the Big Blue River where it is found on rock riffles, it can also be found in many impoundments. This is the single most common species retrieved from archeological sites, especially in the Republican basin where it is now almost extinct. Comments: The Mapleleaf seems to do well both in streams and reservoirs.

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