Eastern elliptio explained

The eastern elliptio (Elliptio complanata) is a freshwater mussel in the Unionidae family, native to Canada and the United States. It is a bivalve member of the phylum Mollusca. Not only is it found in Canada and the United States, but it is frequently the most abundant species of mussel found in its home waterways. It is the most common mussel in the Delaware River ^[1] and the most common mussel found in the state of New Hampshire and Vermont.^{[2] [3]} It can be found in the substrate at the bottom of lakes, ponds and rivers. Size is variable, but can reach up to 13cm (05inches) in length.^{[4] [5]}

Reproduction

The eastern elliptio reproduces sexually via spawning from third week of April to second week of June.^[6]

Life cycle

Like most Unionidae, Elliptio complanata begins as an egg within the gills of the female elliptio, matures into a glochidium, attaches itself to a host fish species and then becomes a juvenile mussel. Elliptio complanata is known to attach to several fish species including American eel Anguilla rostrata, brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis, lake trout Salvelinus namaycush, mottled sculpin Cottus bairdii, and slimy sculpin Cottus cognatus. It has the most success maturing on the American eel.^[7]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Lake . Mailing Address: 274 River Road Beach . Us . PA 18405 Phone: [phone] Contact . Mollusks - Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River (U.S. National Park Service) . 2023-01-09 . www.nps.gov . en.
2. Web site: Elliptio complanata Vermont Atlas of Life . 2023-01-10 . val.vtecostudies.org.
3. Web site: Department . NH Fish and Game . Eastern elliptio Nongame New Hampshire Fish and Game Department . 2023-01-09 . www.wildlife.state.nh.us . en.
4. Web site: Elliptio complanata (Eastern elliptio) - Michigan Natural Features Inventory . 2023-01-10 . mnfi.anr.msu.edu.
5. Web site: Elliptio complanata : Eastern Elliptio Rare Species Guide Minnesota DNR . 2023-01-10 . www.dnr.state.mn.us . en.
6. Web site: Elliptio complanata (Eastern elliptio) - Michigan Natural Features Inventory . 2023-01-09 . mnfi.anr.msu.edu.
7. Lellis . William A. . St. John White . Barbara . Cole . Jeffrey C. . Johnson . Connie S. . Devers . Julie L. . van Snik-Gray . Ellen . Galbraith . Heather S. . 2013 . Newly documented host fishes for the eastern elliptio mussel (Elliptio complanata) . Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management . 4 . 1 . 7585 . 10.3996/102012-JFWM-094. free .