OutdoorNebraska

60 Pink heelsplitter, Potamilus alatus Description: The Pink heelsplitter is a larger, oval shaped mussel with a dark brown exterior. There may be a small wing on the posterior slope which can tend to give it a triangular shape. The nacre will be pink which can vary from light to a very deep pink. The shell is fairly thin for its size but is still solid and noticeably thicker on the anterior end. The pseudocardinal teeth (two in each valve) are fairly thick and prominent. Beak sculpture is not very evident but the photo shows some faint, wide V- shaped ridges. Similar species: The Fragile papershell is the same general shape but has a tan exterior and white nacre. The Pink papershell has a very thin shell including the anterior end. The pseudocardinal teeth of the Pink papershell are small thin ridges whereas those of the Pink heelsplitter are a larger club shape. Juvenile Pink papershells will have wings on both posterior and anterior ends. Pink heelsplitters will only have one on the posterior end. Conservation status: G5, N5, S3. Historically widespread, they are now mainly restricted to the Missouri River. There may be some still present in Rose Creek in the Little Blue watershed. Hosts: Freshwater drum Habitats used: Medium to large rivers in mud or mixed mud, sand, and gravel (Cummings and Mayer 1992). Medium to large rivers in soft or coarse substrate (Seitman 2003). Most any type of substrate in slow to swiftly moving water. Sometimes adapts to the lake, river-lake type of habitat (Oesch 1995). Variety of habitats from sandy bottoms in shallow lakes and soft sandy river overbanks to coarse gravel in good current in areas up to three feet in depth (Parmalee and Bogan 1998). Lakes, impoundments, and rivers, rarely in small streams, often found in slackwater in silty sand and mud (Watters et.al. 2009). Distribution: The Mississippi River basin from Pennsylvania to North Dakota, down to Oklahoma to Tennessee. Also Great Lakes tributaries and the Red River of the North and Winnipeg River. Collection notes: Relict shell of this species has been found in the lower Big Blue basin, Big Nemaha River, Little Nemaha River, and Logan Creek. Live and dead shell are now found in the upper Missouri River above and below Gavins Point Dam. Dead shell in very good condition have been found in Rose Creek (Little Blue watershed). Comments: This species has/had a limited distribution in the state.

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