- Range:
Blue = current range
Hollow circles = former range
- Status in Kansas:
Common in southeastern Kansas
- North American Status:
(From NatureServe)
The range of this species
is very widespread with many populations across much of the eastern U.S. (edge or range
states less common) and also into Mexico. It is stable throughout its range and is
tolerant of a wide range of habitat conditions. It ranges from the Rio Grande River system
in Texas east to the Ochlockonee River system in Florida and as far north as the Middle
St. Lawrence River system. It also extends into Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas and Rio Sabinas
(Coahuila), Mexico.
- Comments:
As the name implies, the paper pondshell has a paper-thin shell and can be found in
ponds. The shell is yellow to greenish-yellow and often cracks upon drying so is easily
broken. Internally, there are no interlocking teeth and the nacre is whitish-blue and
iridescent. This species inhabits still waters, thus is largely found in isolated ponds,
oxbows, backwaters and permanent pools. It is well adapted to mud substrates. Its shells
are usually found along shores where raccoons, muskrats and birds have used them for food.
- Fish Hosts:
mosquitofish, bluegill, green sunfish, warmouth, bluegill, longear sunfish,
largemouth bass and creek chub
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