- Range:
Blue = current range
Hollow circles = former range
- Status in Kansas:
Common
- North American Status:
(From NatureServe)
This species is very
widespread and stable throughout most of its range and has a wide tolerance of various
habitat conditions. It is found throughout much of the central and lower Mississippian
Region; Great Lakes; Southern Atlantic Slope; Peninsular Florida; Gulf Coastal Region, to
the lower Rio Grande System into Mexico. The western range extends through Iowa and
Missouri to Colorado and western Oklahoma.
- Comments:
As the name implies, the pondhorn is typically found in ponds, small lakes or the
pooled headwaters of small streams. It has the unusual capability of going dormant in dry
conditions by burying itself deeply in the mud. It can survive exposure to air for up to
578 days at 59° F. To conserve water, it will plug its siphons with mucous. After
sufficient rainfall, it will resume life processes by siphoning water over its gills. This
mussel has a unique distinguishing characteristic: two shallow parallel grooves extending
from the umbo area outward to the posterior margin. The color of the periostracum
sometimes abruptly changes from yellow to dark brown at a growth-rest line (ring). The
shell is relatively smooth but may have a slight ridge where these rest lines are located.
Because of its relatively thin shell, the pondhorn is often eaten by muskrats. It is
widespread and is one of the few species that can be found in southwest Kansas.
- Fish Hosts:
golden shiner
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