| Lampsilis cardium | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Unionoida |
| Family: | Unionidae |
| Genus: | Lampsilis |
| Species: | L. cardium |
| Binomial name | |
| Lampsilis cardium Rafinesque, 1820 |
|
Lampsilis cardium is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.
This species is widespread in eastern North America. It is native to much of the drainage if the Mississippi River, the Great Lakes drainage system, and other smaller lake systems in the north.
All Unionidae are known to use the gills, fins, or skin of a host fish for nutrients during the larval glochidia stage. Lampsilis cardium accomplishes this by having the inner sides of its mantle flaps marked with longitudinal stripes, resembling a Notropis shiner. When these are attacked and ruptured by a striking predator fish, the Lampsilis cardium larvae is released into the gills of the host fish where they will feed until development. [1]