OutdoorNebraska

24 Black Sandshell, Ligumia recta Description: The Black Sandshell is an elongated shell that is fairly heavy and over twice as long as it is high. They can grow to 180mm long. The anterior end is rounded while the posterior is bluntly pointed. The shell is smooth with no pustules, ribs, grooves or other similar structures. There is a broad posterior ridge though this in not really noticeable. The nacre is white. The exterior is a very dark brown or black, hence the name. There are lateral and pseudocardinal teeth. The beak is raised slightly above the dorsal edge. The beak sculpture is composed of some fine ridges Similar species: This is a pretty distinctive species in Nebraska with no other species being quite a long and narrow as this one. The shape is somewhat similar to that of the Yellow Sandshell though this one has a yellow exterior. It is similar to the Spike (Elliptio dilatata) which is found east of Nebraska but the Spike has a pink nacre. Conservation status: G5, N4, SH. The best specimens have been collected from the Big Blue River. If it is not already extirpated, it is close to being so. Hosts: Black crappie, bluegill, central stoneroller, common carp, green sunfish, largemouth bass, orangespotted sunfish, pumpkinseed, rock bass, sauger, walleye, white crappie, white perch, yellow perch. Habitats used: Medium to large rivers in riffles or raceways in gravel or firm sand (Cummings and Mayer 1992). Medium to large rivers in soft or coarse substrate and flowing water (Seitman 2003). Small to large-sized gravel in water with good current (Oesch 1995). Medium to large rivers in areas with strong current and substrates of coarse sand and gravel with cobbles (Parmalee and Bogan 1998). Widespread but sporadic in rivers and lakes, less commonly in streams. May use soft or hard substrates (Watters et.al. 2009). Distribution: The Mississippi River basin from New York to North Dakota down Texas to Alabama. Also Alabama River basin, Red River of the North, and St. Lawrence basin. Collection notes: Shell of this species has most commonly been found in the Big Blue River. They have also been found in the Big Nemaha and South Fork Big Nemaha Rivers and Logan Creek. Most collections have been of relict shell. Only one collection of a dead shell from the upper Big Blue River. Archeologically, this was fairly common in southeastern Nebraska. Comments: This is another species which, looking at the long list of host fishes and the suitable habitats, is a puzzle. Why have they almost totally disappeared? They should be doing fine.

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