Field Guide

Aquatic Invertebrates

Showing 1 - 10 of 11 results
deertoe
Deertoe
Truncilla truncata
A common mussel in some areas, deertoe have decorative green markings.
fragile papershell
Fragile Papershell
Leptodea fragilis
A widespread mussel that relies on freshwater drum as host fish for the developing young.
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.
mucket
Mucket
Actinonaias ligamentina
One of the most widespread and numerous mussels in southern Missouri.
pink heelsplitter
Pink Heelsplitter
Potamilus alatus
A large dorsal wing and purple lining make identification of this widespread mussel easy.
wabash pigtoe
Wabash Pigtoe
Fusconaia flava
A widespread mussel that releases its larvae in tiny red packages to attract fish hosts.
Bluefer
Bluefer (Purpleshell)
Potamilus purpuratus
Like the pink heelsplitter and fragile and pink papershells, the bluefer uses freshwater drum as a host.
pink mucket
Pink Mucket
Lampsilis abrupta
This endangered native mussel lives in flowing waters of large streams among gravel and cobble.
pond mussel
Freshwater Mussels
Bivalve molluscs in order Unionoida
Secretive and seldom seen, freshwater mussels are extraordinarily diverse in Missouri. We have nearly 70 species within our borders. Many are declining, and several are endangered.
Gray, speckled, translucent gelatinous blob cut in half to show structure
Bryozoans (Moss Animals)
Freshwater species in the phylum Bryozoa
Bryozoans are tiny, filter-feeding invertebrates. They create colonies that can be mossy, branching, or round and jellylike.
See Also

About Aquatic Invertebrates in Missouri

Missouri's streams, lakes, and other aquatic habitats hold thousands of kinds of invertebrates — worms, freshwater mussels, snails, crayfish, insects, and other animals without backbones. These creatures are vital links in the aquatic food chain, and their presence and numbers tell us a lot about water quality.