Fawnsfoot (Truncilla donaciformis)
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Endangered (COSEWIC
and SARO)
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A small mussel,
usually less than 4 cm, with a yellowish shell with
green chevron-like markings
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Occurs in areas of
moderate to low flows in medium and large rivers at
depths ranging from less than 1 m to greater than 5 m
with substrates of sand, mud or gravel.
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Originally present in
the lower Great Lakes, due to the impacts of Zebra
Mussels it is now limited to a few locations in the
lower portions of large Great Lakes’ tributaries. In the
Thames it has been found at several locations between
Chatham and London. Return
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Kidneyshell
(Ptychobranchus fasciolaris)
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Endangered (COSEWIC
and SARO)
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Medium to large
mussel, recognized by elongate, yellow-brown shell with
wide, interrupted green rays that appear as squarish
spots. The most likely hosts are greenside darter,
fantail darter and/or Johnny darter.
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The kidneyshell was
historically known from Lakes Erie and St. Clair, and
the Grand, Thames, Sydenham, Ausable, Niagara and
Welland Rivers. Populations are still found in the
Sydenham and Ausable Rivers. This mussel was believed to
be extirpated from the Thames River until the recent
discovery of two live specimens in Medway Creek. Return
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Mudpuppy Mussel (Simpsonaias
ambigua)
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Endangered (COSEWIC
and SARO)
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Small, brown mussel.
Only freshwater mussel whose larval host is an amphibian
(the mudpuppy).
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Typically found in
sand or silt deposits under flat rocks in areas with
swift currents; seldom seen during routine mussel
surveys because of its secretive habits.
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Once thought to have
disappeared completely from Canadian waters, the
mudpuppy mussel was recently re-discovered in the lower
reaches of the East Sydenham River and shells were
reported for the first time in the Thames River in 1998.
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Rainbow Mussel (Villosa iris)
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Endangered (COSEWIC)
and Threatened (SARO)
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Medium-sized,
compressed, long and elliptical in shape, and yellowish
green or brown with many broken, dark green rays of
differing widths
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Most abundant in
shallow, well- oxygenated reaches of small- to
medium-sized rivers on substrates of cobble, gravel,
sand and occasionally mud.
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In Canada, it occurs
only in Ontario where it has been observed from the
Ausable, Bayfield, Detroit, Grand, Maitland, Moira,
Niagara, Salmon, Saugeen, Sydenham, Thames and Trent
rivers. In the Thames it has been found at numerous
locations in the main branches and several larger
tributaries. Return
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Rayed Bean (Villosa fabalis)
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Endangered (COSEWIC
and SARO)
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One of the smallest
freshwater mussels, maximum length less than 4 cm.
Possible fish hosts for larvae are greenside darter,
rainbow darter, mottled sculpin, and largemouth bass.
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Difficult to find as
it is usually buried deep in sand or gravel among the
roots of aquatic plants.
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Although it was once
more widespread in southern Ontario, including the
Detroit, Sydenham and Thames Rivers, the rayed bean is
now found only in the East Sydenham River and the North
Thames River. It is extremely rare globally and was
believed to be extirpated from the Thames River until a
few live specimens were found recently. Return
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Round Hickorynut (Obovaria
subrotunda)
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Endangered (COSEWIC
and SARO)
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Small freshwater
mussel, maximum length 6 cm. Easily identified by almost
perfectly round shape. The host fish is unknown but may
be the eastern sand darter.
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Rapid decline at sites
where other rare species have persisted suggests a
species-specific impact such as the disappearance of the
host fish.
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The round hickorynut
was once widely distributed throughout the lower Great
Lakes drainage basin. It is now believed extirpated from
the Thames, Grand, Ausable and Maitland Rivers. The only
populations of round hickorynut remaining in Canada are
the St. Clair delta adjacent to Walpole Island, and a
stretch of the East Sydenham River.
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Round Pigtoe (Pleurobema sintoxia)
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Endangered (COSEWIC
and SARO)
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Medium to large
somewhat rectangular, with a dark reddish-brown, rough
textured surface.
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Found in small rivers
in areas of moderate flow on substrates of gravel,
cobble and boulder, and in larger rivers in mud, sand
and gravel at varying depths.
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In Canada, it occurs
only in Ontario, in lakes Erie and St. Clair and in the
Detroit, Grand, Niagara, Sydenham and Thames rivers.
Currently, it is extant in the Grand, Thames and
Sydenham rivers and in Lake St. Clair. In the Thames
watershed it has been found between London and Chatham,
in the south Thames River in and upstream of London, and
in the Middle Thames River. Return
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Snuffbox (Epioblasma triquetra)
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Endangered (COSEWIC
and SARO)
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Small mussel with
unique "dripping paint" markings on shell. Known host
species include logperch, and blackside darter; other
darter species have yet to be tested as hosts.
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Inhabits riffle areas
in small to medium-sized rivers and streams; often found
buried deep below the surface.
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In Canada, the
snuffbox was historically known from several watersheds
in southern Ontario, including the Grand, Thames,
Sydenham and Ausable Rivers. The species is believed to
be extirpated from the Thames River as only weathered
shells have been found in recent years. The snuffbox
mussel is now restricted to the middle and lower reaches
of the East Sydenham River.
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Mapleleaf Mussel (Quadrula
quadrula)
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Threatened (COSEWIC
and SARO)
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A medium-sized mussel
with thick, squarish shell from yellowish-green to dark
brown in colour.
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It is usually found in
medium to large rivers with slow to moderate currents
and firmly packed substrate of sand, coarse gravel or
clay/mud.
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In Canada, this
species is limited to the Red River and some tributaries
in Manitoba, and to larger rivers draining into Lake St.
Clair and Lake Erie in southern Ontario. In the Thames
it has been found from Chatham to London. Return
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Wavy-rayed Lampmussel (Lampsilis
fasciola)
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Special Concern (COSEWIC
and SARO)
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Medium-sized mussel,
distinguished by rounded shell and numerous thin, wavy
green rays. Female has minnow-shaped "lure" to attract
its host fish, the smallmouth bass.
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Lives mainly in gravel
riffles in streams and rivers. Clear water may be a
critical requirement for successful reproduction.
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In Canada, the
wavy-rayed lampmussel historically occurred in western
Lakes Erie and St. Clair, and the Maitland, Sydenham,
Thames and Grand Rivers. Recent studies suggest that
this species may be present in the Thames in larger
numbers than previously thought, particularly in the
north branch.
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