UNIONIDS FOUND IN VARIOUS WATERSHEDS OF
MICHIGAN
DISCLAIMER: These lists are provided as a general guideline for identification
of shells found in specific rivers. The information was taken from the literature
and may not be complete.
+= species of special concern in Michigan
*= state threatened
**= state endangered
***= federally endangered
Belle River, St. Clair County
Elktoe, Alasmidonta marginata
Three-ridge, Amblema plicata
Northern riffleshell, Epioblasma torulosa ***
Snuffbox, Epioblasma triquetra **
Wabash pigtoe, Fusconaia flava
Wavy-rayed lampmussel, Lampsilis fasciola *
Fat mucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea
Pocketbook, Lampsilis ventricosa
Purple heelsplitter, Lasmigona complanta
Creek heelsplitter, Lasmigona compressa
Fluted-shell, Lasmigona costata
Fragile papershell, Leptodea fragilis
Black sandshell, Ligumia recta
Round hickorynut, Obovaria subrotunda **
Round pigtoe, Pleurobema coccineum
Pink heelsplitter, Potamilis alatus (formerly Proptera
alata)
Kidneyshell, Ptychobranchus fasciolaris
Floater, Pyganodon grandis
Pimpleback, Quadrula pustulosa
Mapleleaf, Quadrula quadrula
Squawfoot, Strophitus undulatus
Deer toe, Truncilla truncata
Paper pondshell, Utterbackia imbecillis
Rayed bean, Villosa fabalis **
Clinton River
Mucket, Actinonaias carinata
Slippershell, Alasmidonta calceolus
Elktoe, Alasmidonta marginata
Three-ridge, Amblema plicata
Cylindrical papershell, Anodontoides ferussacianus
Purple wartyback, Cyclonaias tuberculata +
Spike, Elliptio dilatata
Snuffbox, Epioblasma triquetra **
Wabash pigtoe, Fusconaia flava
Wavy-rayed lampmussel, Lampsilis fasciola *
Fat mucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea
Pocketbook, Lampsilis ventricosa
Purple heelsplitter, Lasmigona complanta
Creek heelsplitter, Lasmigona compressa
Fluted-shell, Lasmigona costata
Eastern pondmussel, Ligumia nasuta
Black sandshell, Ligumia recta
Round hickorynut, Obovaria subrotunda **
Round pigtoe, Pleurobema coccineum
Kidneyshell, Ptychobranchus fasciolaris
Floater, Pyganodon grandis
Pimpleback, Quadrula pustulosa
Mapleleaf, Quadrula quadrula
Salamander mussel, Simpsoniconcha ambigua **
Squawfoot, Strophitus undulatus
Purple lilliput, Toxoplasma lividus **
Lilliput, Toxoplasma parvus
Rayed bean, Villosa fabalis **
Rainbow, Villosa iris
Grand River
Mucket, Actinonaias carinata
Slippershell, Alasmidonta calceolus
Elktoe, Alasmidonta marginata
Three-ridge, Amblema plicata
Cylindrical papershell, Anodontoides ferussacianus
Purple wartyback, Cyclonaias tuberculata +
Spike, Elliptio dilatata
Snuffbox, Epioblasma triquetra **
Wabash pigtoe, Fusconaia flava
Fat mucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea
Pocketbook, Lampsilis ventricosa
Purple heelsplitter, Lasmigona complanta
Creek heelsplitter, Lasmigona compressa
Fluted-shell, Lasmigona costata
Fragile papershell, Leptodea fragilis
Black sandshell, Ligumia recta
Round pigtoe, Pleurobema coccineum
Pink heelsplitter, Potamilis alatus (formerly Proptera
alata)
Floater, Pyganodon grandis
Pimpleback, Quadrula pustulosa
Mapleleaf, Quadrula quadrula
Squawfoot, Strophitus undulatus
Lilliput, Toxoplasma parvus
Fawnsfoot, Truncilla donaciformis
Deer toe, Truncilla truncata
Paper pondshell, Utterbackia imbecillis
Ellipse, Venustaconcha ellipsiformis
Rainbow, Villosa iris
Huron River
Mucket, Actinonaias carinata
Slippershell, Alasmidonta calceolus
Elktoe, Alasmidonta marginata
Three-ridge, Amblema plicata
Cylindrical papershell, Anodontoides ferussacianus
Purple wartyback, Cyclonaias tuberculata +
Spike, Elliptio dilatata
Snuffbox, Epioblasma triquetra **
Wabash pigtoe, Fusconaia flava
Wavy-rayed lampmussel, Lampsilis fasciola *
Fat mucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea
Pocketbook, Lampsilis ventricosa
Purple heelsplitter, Lasmigona complanta
Creek heelsplitter, Lasmigona compressa
Fluted-shell, Lasmigona costata
Fragile papershell, Leptodea fragilis
Eastern pondmussel, Ligumia nasuta
Black sandshell, Ligumia recta
Round hickorynut, Obovaria subrotunda **
Round pigtoe, Pleurobema coccineum
Kidneyshell, Ptychobranchus fasciolaris
Floater, Pyganodon grandis
Pimpleback, Quadrula pustulosa
Mapleleaf, Quadrula quadrula
Salamander mussel, Simpsonaias ambigua **
Squawfoot, Strophitus undulatus
Purple lilliput, Toxoplasma lividus **
Lilliput, Toxoplasma parvus
Deer toe, Truncilla truncata
Paper pondshell, Utterbackia imbecillis
Rayed bean, Villosa fabalis **
Rainbow, Villosa iris
Muskegon River
Mucket, Actinonaias carinata
Slippershell, Alasmidonta calceolus
Elktoe, Alasmidonta marginata
Cylindrical papershell, Anodontoides ferussacianus
Spike, Elliptio dilatata
Snuffbox, Epioblasma triquetra **
Wabash pigtoe, Fusconaia flava
Fat mucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea
Pocketbook, Lampsilis ventricosa
Purple heelsplitter, Lasmigona complanta
Creek heelsplitter, Lasmigona compressa
Fluted-shell, Lasmigona costata
Fragile papershell, Leptodea fragilis
Round pigtoe, Pleurobema coccineum
Pink heelsplitter, Potamilis alatus (formerly Proptera
alata)
Floater, Pyganodon grandis
Squawfoot, Strophitus undulatus
Rainbow, Villosa iris
St. Joseph River
Mucket, Actinonaias carinata
Slippershell, Alasmidonta calceolus
Elktoe, Alasmidonta marginata
Three-ridge, Amblema plicata
Cylindrical papershell, Anodontoides ferussacianus
Purple wartyback, Cyclonaias tuberculata +
Spike, Elliptio dilatata
Snuffbox, Epioblasma triquetra **
Wabash pigtoe, Fusconaia flava
Fat mucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea
Pocketbook, Lampsilis ventricosa
Creek heelsplitter, Lasmigona compressa
Fluted shell, Lasmigona costata
Fragile papershell, Leptodea fragilis
Black sandshell, Ligumia recta
Round pigtoe, Pleurobema coccineum
Pink heelsplitter, Potamilis alatus (formerly Proptera
alata)
Floater, Pyganodon grandis
Squawfoot, Strophitus undulatus
Fawnsfoot, Truncilla donaciformis
Deer toe, Truncilla truncata
Ellipse, Venustaconcha ellipsiformis
Rainbow, Villosa iris
+= species of special concern in Michigan
*= state threatened
**= state endangered
***= federally endangered