NEOSHO MUCKET

Photo by Edwin Miller
used by permission

Federal Status:
Candidate for listing

State Status:
Endangered

• Range:
  Dark Blue = Counties with designated critical habitat
  Light Blue = Historical records
  A detailed range map may be found in the Mussel Bed
• Comments: The Neosho mucket is found in the Fall, Verdigris, Neosho and Spring rivers. It is one of the predominant mussels in a short stretch of the Spring River but most of the specimens found in the other rivers appear well-worn and old. The younger shells are often marked with greenish rays and chevrons. The female Neosho mucket waves a lure that imitates a small fish to attract its host fish. Only black bass (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted) serve as the host for Neosho mucket larvae, called glochidia, which the female releases in late spring. Sufficient numbers of bass may be lacking in the lower Neosho, Fall and Verdigris rivers. Attempts to grow this mussel on hatchery bass and restocking larval mussels into suitable habitat have proven successful.

Other Gastropods on the Kansas T&E List