Potamilus fragilis

Potamilus fragilis, previously Leptodea fragilis, the fragile papershell, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. P. fragilis is one of the fastest-growing unionid species and the most abundant unionid species in Lake Erie.^[3] Its light-shelled morphology suggests an adaptation to deep water within lakes.^[3]

Potamilus fragilis
Conservation status
Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Bivalvia
Order:	Unionida
Family:	Unionidae
Genus:	Potamilus
Species:	P. fragilis
Binomial name
Potamilus fragilis (Rafinesque, 1820)
Synonyms[2]
Medionidus mcglameriae van der Schalie, 1939 Unio fragilis Rafinesque, 1820 Unio gracilis Barnes, 1823 Unio planus Barnes, 1823 Unio atrata Swainson, 1823 Lasmonos fragilis Rafinesque, 1831 Lampsilis simpsoni Ferriss, 1900 Unio fragilis subsp. fuscata Rafinesque, 1820 Lampsilis gracilis subsp. lacustris F.C. Baker, 1922

This species is found in the United States and Canada. Its natural habitats include streams, rivers and freshwater embayments.^[1]

A common host for the glochidia of this species is the freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens).^[4]

A museum specimen

References

1. NatureServe (3 March 2023). "Leptodea fragilis". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
2. "Leptodea fragilis (Rafinesque, 1820)". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
3. Krebs, Robert A.; Barkett, Elizabeth M.; Begley, Matthew T. (Feb 2015). "The impact of dreissenid mussels on growth of the fragile papershell (Leptodea fragilis), the most abundant unionid species in Lake Erie" (PDF). Canadian Journal of Zoology. 93 (2): 143–148. doi:10.1139/cjz-2014-0215.
4. "Field Guide: Fragile Papershell". Missouri Department of Conservation. Retrieved 29 August 2024.