Missouri Department of Conservation
Home » Discover Nature » Field Guide

Plain Pocketbook (Pocketbook)

Lampsilis cardium
Family: 
Unionidae (freshwater mussels) in the phylum Mollusca
Description: 

Shell is large, moderately thick, inflated, rounded to oval shell with a blunt posterior end (males) or squared-off posterior end (females). Umbo is broad, raised above hinge line. Epidermis smooth, yellow or tan to yellowish-green with dark green rays. Inside shell beak cavity is deep; pseudocardinal teeth large, heavy and serrate; lateral teeth high, blade-like and short; nacre (lining) white, occasionally pink or salmon.

Similar species: Fatmucket’s shell is not as inflated and has a lower umbo. The mucket’s shell is more oval and compressed.

Size: 
Adult length: 4-7 inches.
Habitat and conservation: 
Creeks to large rivers with quiet to swift current in gravel, sand and cobble--nearly any substrate except for moving sand.
Foods: 
Algae and fine particles of decaying organic matter; extracts nutrients and oxygen from water drawn into the body cavity through a specialized gill called the incurrent siphon; sediment and undigested waste are expelled through the excurrent siphon.
Distribution in Missouri: 
Almost statewide; found in all the major river systems in Missouri except for those in the far north and northwest.
Status: 
One of the most widespread and common mussels in our state.
Life cycle: 
Males release sperm directly into water. Females downstream siphon sperm into the gill chamber, where eggs are fertilized. Eggs mature into larvae (called glochidia), which discharge into the water and attach to host fish—in this species, white crappie, sauger, bluegill, yellow perch and more. The tiny mussel eventually breaks away and floats to the bottom of the stream, and the cycle repeats.
Human connections: 
Mussels are excellent biological indicators of water quality because they are long-lived and relatively immobile, accumulating contaminants in water that can be scientifically analyzed. This species was important in the button industry and is also valuable to the polished chip industry.
Ecosystem connections: 
Mussels act as nature's “vacuum cleaners,” filtering and cleansing polluted waters. They are also an important food source for other species in the aquatic environment. In this and other mussels in genus Lampsilis, the mantle flaps resemble a fish, which lures in host fish for the larval mussels.

Other Content You May Like

MDC's Mission, Vision, Priorities

MDC protects and manages Missouri's fish, forest, and wildlife resources.

We also facilitate your participation in resource-management activities, and we provide opportunities for you to use, enjoy and learn about nature.

Find out more

Natural Areas
Shortened URL
http://mdc.mo.gov/node/6533
Serving Nature and You

MDC protects and manages Missouri's fish, forest, and wildlife resources.
We also facilitate your participation in resource-management activities, and we provide opportunities for you to use, enjoy and learn about nature.

Featured Pic

Check out the featured picture and other images at the MDC Media Gallery

Visit the media gallery
Popular Topics

Follow MDC on Twitter Facebook YouTube Flickr Pinterest Slideshare MDC RSS feeds

© 2013 Conservation Commission of Missouri. All rights reserved.