Missouri Department of Conservation
Home » Discover Nature » Field Guide

Yellow Sandshell

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

Shell is thick, inflated, elongate with a pointed posterior end. Umbo is low and broadly rounded. Epidermis is shiny; younger mussels yellowish-green with fine green rays; adults straw-colored with faint or no rays, becomes darker with age. Inside shell beak cavity is moderately deep; pseudocardinal teeth thin, elongate, serrate and well-developed; lateral teeth long and straight to slightly curved; nacre (lining) white.

Similar species: Black sandshell has a very dark epidermis. Fatmucket shell is not as elongate and more inflated, typically with prominent rays.

Size: 
Adult length: 3-6 inches.
Habitat and conservation: 
Small to large rivers in slow to moderate current in sand, sandy mud or fine gravel; also ponds, sloughs and reservoirs.
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: 
Widespread, but absent from south-flowing streams in south-central Missouri.
Status: 
Common, although degrading water quality and watershed destabilization interfere with the survival of this and all freshwater mussels.
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, longnose gar and probably also other gars, sunfishes, largemouth bass and crappies. The tiny mussel eventually breaks away and floats to the bottom of the stream, and the cycle repeats.
Human connections: 
Mussels are excellent indicators of water quality because they are long-lived and relatively immobile, accumulating contaminants in water that can be analyzed. Its large, white shell made this species very important for the button industry; its long, straight sides make it valuable for inlay work.
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.

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

Runge Nature Center
Shortened URL
http://mdc.mo.gov/node/6529
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.