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Content tagged with "Aquatic Invertebrates"

Elephantear (Elephant's Ear)

elephant's ear
Elliptio crassidens
Today found only in the Meramec River, the elephantear has been classified as Endangered in Missouri and is a candidate for federal Endangered status. More

Elktoe

elktoe
Alasmidonta marginata
The elktoe is one of many Missouri mussels with a declining population. More

Ellipse and Bleedingtooth

ellipse
Venustaconcha ellipsiformis and V. pleasii
These small mussels use darters, a type of fish, as hosts for their young. More

Fatmucket

fatmucket
Lampsilis siliquoidea
The fatmucket was a favorite species harvested for the button industry in the early 1900s. More

Fragile Papershell

fragile papershell
Leptodea fragilis
A widespread mussel that relies on freshwater drum as host fish for the developing young. More

Freckled Crayfish

Image of a freckled crayfish
Cambarus maculatus
Largely restricted to the Courtois Hills section of the Meramec River basin, this powerfully built, yellowish-tan crayfish has numerous conspicuous black spots on its pincers, carapace and abdomen. More

Freshwater Jellyfish

Photo of a freshwater jellyfish
Craspedacusta sowerbyii
We’ve all heard horror stories about stinging jellyfish in the ocean—but did you know that there are similar creatures living in the freshwater of Missouri? Fortunately, they’re harmless! More

Giant Floater

giant floater
Pygandon grandis
When a floater dies, this large mussel with a thick shell will actually rise to the water surface and float as it decays. More

Giant Water Bugs

Photo of a giant water bug
Species in the genera Abedus, Belostoma, and Lethocerus
These huge aquatic bugs, which frequently fly around electric lights at night, are infamous for the painful bite they can deliver, but fish, birds—and some people—find them tasty! More

Gilled Aquatic Snails (Prosobranchs)

Photo of a gilled aquatic snail
Over 20 Missouri species in former subclass Prosobranchia
Gilled snails are one of two main groups of aquatic snails in Missouri (the other group is the "lunged" snails). Gilled snails, or prosobranchs, breathe with gills and possess a hard trapdoor-like operculum. They are most common in the Ozarks. More
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