- Range:
Blue = current range
Hollow circles = former range
- Status in Kansas:
Common in eastern half of Kansas
- North American Status:
(From NatureServe)
This species has a very
large range throughout the entire Mississippi River drainage into the Gulf of Mexico and
Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River system. It is secure throughout its range.
- Comments:
The fragile papershell is a thin-shelled mussel that is consistently yellowish-tan
in color. It can be considered a pioneer species, as it is often the first one to reinvade
an area after a drought or flood deposition. It is often found deeply buried in the
substrate with its foot extended to help anchor it. It could be considered a habitat
generalist because it can be found in rivers, reservoirs and many smaller creeks with
permanent pools. It is typically one of the mussels species found where only a few species
are represented. It can be mistaken for the pink papershell, but the fragile papershell is
less rounded along the ventral margin and usually a lighter color in comparison.
- Fish Hosts:
freshwater drum
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