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Mississippi National River and Recreation AreaTurkey gobblers strut during the spring in many of the parks lining the Mississippi River.
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Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Creek Heelsplitter
(Lasmigona compressa) Lea, 1829
A Creek Geelsplitter
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Other Common Names:
None.
Habitat:
Often found in areas that mark the beginning of a small or medium river where there are fine gravel or sand. Rarely will it be found in largerrivers.
Length:
Can be up to 4 inches (10.2 cm).
Outer Shell Color:
Yellow, green or brown, often with green rays.
Inner Shell Color:
White to salmon-colored.
Shell Thickness:
Thin.
Shell Outline:
Longer than it is wide and looks somewhat rectangular (imagine a rectangle blown up, like a balloon). The end closest to where the two halves meet is rounded from top to bottom. The opposite end is bluntly pointed and somewhat square towards the top. The elastic part of the shell that connects the two halves together at the top is straight. The bottom of the shell is rounded, but sometimes may be straight.
Shell Surface:
Smooth, and somewhat flat toward the left end of the shell.
Scientific Description:
Yellow, green or brown shell often with green rays. Shell elongated, subrectangular and compressed.
Similar Looking Mussels:
Host Fish:
Slimy Sculpin, Spotfin Shiner, Guppy, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie
Distribution:
Widespread, uncommon.
Minnesota State Listing:
Special concern.
Federal Listing:
None.
Canoeists in the Mississippi River Gorge  

Did You Know?
A canoe trip in the Mississippi River Gorge between Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN feels like you are miles away from civilization even though you are in the center of a large metropolitan area.

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Last Updated: September 20, 2006 at 10:35 EST