Field Guide

Aquatic Invertebrates

Showing 1 - 10 of 20 results
elktoe
Elktoe
Alasmidonta marginata
The elktoe is one of many Missouri mussels with a declining population.
plain pocketbook
Plain Pocketbook
Lampsilis cardium
The plain pocketbook is one of the most common and widespread mussels in our state. It is oval, relatively large, and occurs frequently.
threeridge
Threeridge
Amblema plicata
Sometimes called the blue-point, this mussel species is widely distributed in Missouri rivers and is occasionally found along reservoir margins.
Two pairs of Asian clam shells, still hinged together, showing exterior and interior
Asian Clam
Corbicula fluminea
The Asian clam is a nonnative, invasive species that lives in a variety of aquatic habitats. It has thick shells with distinctly ridged, concentric rings and a yellowish-brown to dark brown shell covering.
butterfly
Butterfly
Ellipsaria lineolata
The butterfly is one of the most beautiful of Missouri’s mussels.
deertoe
Deertoe
Truncilla truncata
A common mussel in some areas, deertoe have decorative green markings.
ellipse
Ellipse and Bleedingtooth
Venustaconcha ellipsiformis and V. pleasii
These small mussels use darters, a type of fish, as hosts for their young.
fatmucket
Fatmucket
Lampsilis siliquoidea
The fatmucket was a favorite species harvested for the button industry in the early 1900s.
fragile papershell
Fragile Papershell
Leptodea fragilis
A widespread mussel that relies on freshwater drum as host fish for the developing young.
maple leaf
Mapleleaf
Quadrula quadrula
The mapleleaf spawns in the summer, using catfish as a host.
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.