Plants and Animals

Epioblasma triquetra Snuffbox

species photo
species photo
David Stagliano

Key Characteristics

The snuffbox is a medium sized (to 2 inches) mussel that is triangular in shape. Its shell is thick and yellowish on the outside with numerous, broken, dark green rays. Beak sculpture is double looped and the hinge teeth are elevated and compressed.

Status and Rank

US Status: LE - Listed Endangered
State Status: E - Endangered (legally protected)
Global Rank: G2G3 - Rank is uncertain, ranging from imperiled to vulnerable
State Rank: S1S2 - Rank is uncertain, ranging from critically imperiled to imperiled

Occurrences

CountyNumber of OccurrencesYear Last Observed
Allegan 1 1996
Berrien 3 2001
Calhoun 1 2019
Clinton 2 2020
Gladwin 1 2021
Gratiot 1 2001
Huron 2 1964
Ionia 14 2021
Kalamazoo 2 2020
Kent 7 2022
Livingston 8 2023
Macomb 7 2017
Midland 4 2020
Monroe 5 1981
Muskegon 1 2018
Newaygo 1 2002
Oakland 7 2021
Saginaw 3 1965
St. Clair 15 2021
St. Joseph 7 2005
Tuscola 1 1940
Washtenaw 4 2021
Wayne 7 2019

Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.

Habitat

The snuffbox inhabits sand, gravel, or cobble substrates in swift small and medium-sized rivers. Individuals are often buried deep in the sediment.

Specific Habitat Needs

Gravel substrate needed in: Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), riffle; River (5th-6th order), riffle.

Natural Community Types

  • Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), riffle
  • River (5th-6th order), riffle

For each species, lists of natural communities were derived from review of the nearly 6,500 element occurrences in the MNFI database, in addition to herbarium label data for some taxa. In most cases, at least one specimen record exists for each listed natural community. For certain taxa, especially poorly collected or extirpated species of prairie and savanna habitats, natural community lists were derived from inferences from collection sites and habitat preferences in immediately adjacent states (particularly Indiana and Illinois). Natural communities are not listed for those species documented only from altered or ruderal habitats in Michigan, especially for taxa that occur in a variety of habitats outside of the state.

Natural communities are not listed in order of frequency of occurrence, but are rather derived from the full set of natural communities, organized by Ecological Group. In many cases, the general habitat descriptions should provide greater clarity and direction to the surveyor. In future versions of the Rare Species Explorer, we hope to incorporate natural community fidelity ranks for each taxon.

Management Recommendations

The Snuffbox mussel is sensitive to river impoundment, siltation and disturbance, due to its requirement for clean, swift current and relative immobility as an adult. In order to maintain the current populations in Michigan, rivers need to be protected to reduce silt loading and run-off. Maintaining or establishing vegetated riparian buffers can aid in controlling many of the threats to mussels. Control of zebra mussels is critical to preserving native mussels. And as with all mussels, protection of their hosts habitat is also crucial. Because the life cycle of the snuffbox is inherently linked with that of the logperch in Michigan, conservation and management of this fish species is needed to insure that of the Snuffbox.

Survey Methods

Glass-bottom bucket less than waist deep water

Survey Period: From first week of June to first week of October

SCUBA searches

Survey Period: From first week of June to first week of October

Snorkeling searches

Survey Period: From first week of June to first week of October

References

Survey References

  • Cummings, K.S. and C.A. Mayer. 1992. Field Guide to Freshwater Mussels of the Midwest. Illinois Natural History Survey Manual 5, Champaign. 194pp.
  • Strayer, D.L. and D.R. Smith. 2003. A Guide to Sampling Freshwater Mussel Populations. American Fisheries Society Monograph 8, Bethesda. 103pp.

Technical References

  • Burch, J.B. 1994. Mollusk: Species Accounts. Pages 395-410 in D.C. Evers, ed. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife of Michigan. University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor.
  • Carman, S.M. and R.R. Goforth. 2000. Special animal abstract for Epioblasma triquetra (Snuffbox). Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing, MI. 2pp.
  • Cummings, K.S. and C.A. Mayer. 1992. Field Guide to Freshwater Mussels of the Midwest. Illinois Natural History Survey Manual 5, Champaign. 194pp.
  • Dillon, R.T. Jr. 2000. The Ecology of Freshwater Molluscs. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. 509pp.
  • Evers, D.C. 1994. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife of Michigan. The University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor. 412pp.
  • Watters, G.T. 1993. A guide to the freshwater mussels of Ohio. Revised Edition. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Columbus. 106 pages.