What is a Yellow Lampmussel?

A Yellow Lampmussel (lampsilis cariosa) is a invertebrate freshwater mussel, which means it has no backbone. It is currently listed as an endangered species by the state of Massachusetts. This status is well deserved as this mussel is very difficult or impossible to locate in areas where it was once common (Smith, 1991). In October of 1998 a living specimen of L.cariosa was discovered by Sean Wearle, the author, while diving in the Connecticut River in the vicinity of Northampton, MA. The discovery of this small female specimen prompted the current survey, in which 5 or more living mussels, all female, were found. Whether this population represents a viable remnant population of L.cariosa or not remains unclear. Neither gravid (pregnant) females nor males were ever observed during over 50 man-hours of search.

Read about the research methods used by Sean Werle,
Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, University of Massachusetts.

View a map of the research area.

Where do freshwater mussels come from?

How do freshwater fish attract host fish?