Pink Papershell - Potamilus ohiensis
Federal Status: Not listed (Watters 1995)
Ohio Status: Not listed (Watters 1995)
Key characteristics: Thin, shiny, elongate and compressed shell, tan or olive green to dark brown, with pink to purple nacre (Cummings, Mayer 1992).
Similar species: Fragile papershell, pink heelsplitter (Cummings, Mayer 1992).
Description: Shell elongate, thin, fragile, and compressed. Anterior and posterior ends rounded. A large wing present behind the umbo, with a smaller wing in front, but often missing in older shells. Umbos flattened and not elevated above the hinge line. Beak sculpture of three or four small, thickened ridges. Shell very shiny, rayless, tan or olive green to dark brown (dark brown particularly in older shells). Length to 7 inches (17.8 cm) (Cummings, Mayer 1992).
Pseudocardinal teeth thin, elongate, and slightly roughened; one in the left valve, two in the right. Lateral teeth long, thin, elevated, and straight or slightly curved. Beak cavity shallow. Nacre typically light purple, occasionally pink, and highly iridescent (Cummings, Mayer 1992).
Hosts: Freshwater drum, white crappie (Watters 1995).
Habitat: Medium to large rivers in silt, mud, or sand (Cummings, Mayer 1992)
Return to the Introduction of Freshwater Mussels
Return to the Biology Home Page
Return to the Marietta College Home Page