OutdoorNebraska

82 Yellow sandshell, Lampsilis teres Description: The Yellow sandshell has a long oval shell that is moderately thick and stout. The periostracum is a glossy yellow to dirty yellow/tan often with green rays which may be hard to see in larger adults. The posterior end of males extends into a long blunt point. The posterior end of females is expanded and a trapezoidal shape. The nacre is white which may have a pink tint. I have found two forms of beak sculpture as discussed below under Comments. Similar species: The Fatmucket is more oval shaped and the posterior end is more bluntly rounded, especially in females. The Pondmussel is smaller with a shorter, thinner shell and a dark periostracum. Hosts: Black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, largemouth bass, longnose gar, orangespotted sunfish, shortnose gar, shovelnose sturgeon, white crappie, yellow perch. Conservation status: G5, N5, S3. Live Yellow sandshells have been collected from several streams but I wouldn't say they are doing well. Habitats used: Medium to large rivers in fine sand or gravel (Cummings and Mayer 1992). Large rivers in soft or coarse substrate (Seitman 2003). Rivers that are large, warm, and turbid (Oesch 1995). One form is found in quiet water and sandy-muddy bottom while a second form is found in strong current and gravel (Parmalee and Bogan 1998). Found in sandy mud in large rivers, it rarely strays into smaller streams (Watters et.al. 2009). Distribution: The Mississippi River basin to Minnesota. Rio Grande and Red River in Texas and Mexico. Gulf Coast drainage from Louisiana to Florida. Great Lakes tributaries in U.S. Collection notes: This species has been found in the Big Blue River (relict, dead), Nemaha Basin (relict, dead, live), Logan Creek (relict, live), Salt Creek (dead, live) and upper Missouri River below Gavins Point Dam (dead, live). Comments: There are supposed to be two "forms" of this species (the Yellow Sandshell and the Slough Sandshell) that are found in contrasting habitats (fast water/gravel and slow water/silt- mud). We may have both forms shown by the two types of beak sculpture that are illustrated. The one with the V-shaped ridges (Rock Creek, Saunders County) fits the descriptions of the Slough Sandshell. This is the form most commonly seen in the state. The other one with almost no beak sculpture (Missouri River, Douglas County) fits descriptions of the Yellow Sandshell. Both forms are now considered to be the same species. The recent collections combined with archeological finds show that this was once a widespread species in the state.

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