ML070170233

VYNPS - SEIS Web Reference - Cdep Dwarf Wedge Mussel

ML070170233
Person / Time
Site:	Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png
Issue date:	12/14/2006
From:	State of CT, Dept of Environmental Protection
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
jmm7
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Download: ML070170233 (2)

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Dwarf Wedgemussel Endangered Alasmidonta heterodon Key Features Size: Up to 1.5 inches, though usually around one inch.

Shape: Somewhat triangular or wedge-shaped at the posterior end, which is sometimes pointed. Adults are small and often exhibit much more shell erosion than comparably sized juveniles of other species.

Periostracum: Color yellowish-brown, olive-brown, or blackish-brown. Shell rays present but sparse, particularly in adults.

Lateral Teeth: Present but thin. Two on the right valve and one on the left valve, which is the opposite of all other North American freshwater mussel species that possess lateral teeth.

Pseudocardinal Teeth: Present. Two on the left valve and one on the right valve.

Nacre: Color usually bluish-white and somewhat iridescent along the posterior margin, sometimes with greenish or yellowish markings toward the beak cavity.

Often Confused With...

Creeper, brook floater, and triangle floater Habitat The dwarf wedgemussel is found in streams and rivers, where it prefers stable substrates in slow or moderate currents. In slow moving, sandy rivers it is often found near the banks among roots.

Range in Connecticut Though once distributed throughout parts of the Connecticut River and Quinnipiac River watersheds, it is now thought to exist in only a few Connecticut River tributaries.

Conservation This is the only federally endangered freshwater mussel in New England. Historically, it was found in External Shell Internal shell, right valve Hinge teeth Page 1 of 2 CT DEP: Dwarf Wedgemussel 12/14/2006 http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/Wildlife/learn/fwmusl/dwwm.htm

The Freshwater Mussels of Connecticut nearly 70 locations in 15 watersheds along the Atlantic seaboard, but its range and population sizes have dramatically decreased in the last century.

Freshwater Mussel Fact Sheets Eastern Pearlshell Creeper Eastern Pondmussel Dwarf Wedgemussel Eastern Elliptio Tidewater Mucket Triangle Floater Eastern Floater Yellow Lampmussel Brook Floater Alewife Floater Eastern Lampmussel Top of Page Wildlife Division Learn About CT's Wildlife Common Wildlife Problems Hunting &

Trapping Publications & Forms Special Features Bureau of Natural Resources Home l Contact Us l Search l Feedback l Website Legal Info Send comments or questions regarding this site to dep.webmaster@po.state.ct.us Copyright 1998-2004 Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Page 2 of 2 CT DEP: Dwarf Wedgemussel 12/14/2006 http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/Wildlife/learn/fwmusl/dwwm.htm