- Range:
Blue = current range
Hollow circles = former range
- Status in Kansas:
Common in southeast Kansas
- North American Status:
(From NatureServe)
This species is widespread
with some evidence of diminishing suitable habitat but still can be found to be locally
numerous under favorable conditions. It is found in the Mississippi river drainage and
Gulf drainage streams from the Alabama river system west to central Texas; from western
Pennsylvania, west to southern Minnesota, south and west to Oklahoma and Texas; the
Cumberland, Tennessee, and Alabama River systems. Recently a live specimen was found in
the Big Blue River at Beatrice, Nebraska; a state previously thought to have only
historical or sub-fossil specimens.
- Comments:
With the general shape of a pistolgrip, this mussel is easily identified. The sexes
differ in shape as the female is more elongated than the male. Recent research has also
shown pistolgrips will move toward each other as spawning season approaches. This may help
ensure the eggs within the female’s gill pouches are fertilized because the male
simply releases sperm into the open water. Its fish hosts are all in the catfish family
and some authorities believe it uses scent to attract these host fish to enhance its
chances of completing its life cycle. The pistolgrip is found in rivers and streams with
permanent flow and occasionally in reservoirs.
- Fish Hosts:
flathead catfish, black bullhead and yellow bullhead
- See also the GPNC species portrait page
for the Pistolgrip.
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