Plants and Animals

Alasmidonta viridis Slippershell

Key Characteristics

The slippershell is a small (to 1.5 inches) mussel with a straight ventral margin. Beak sculpture has three to four ridges or loops. The lateral teeth are irregular and poorly developed; where as the cardinal teeth are triangular with one in the right valve and two in the left valve. The shell is yellowish-brown and marked with fine green rays with a square posterior end and a rounded anterior end. The nacre is white and often iridescent towards the posterior end of the shell.

Status and Rank

US Status: No Status/Not Listed
State Status: T - Threatened (legally protected)
Global Rank: G4G5 - Rank is uncertain, ranging from apparently secure to secure
State Rank: S2S3 - Rank is uncertain, ranging from imperiled to vulnerable

Occurrences

CountyNumber of OccurrencesYear Last Observed
Alcona 2 1925
Allegan 2 2023
Alpena 3 1932
Barry 4 2013
Bay 1 Historical
Benzie 1 1925
Berrien 6 2009
Branch 3 2000
Calhoun 11 2019
Cass 3 1940
Cheboygan 6 2019
Chippewa 2 2007
Clare 5 2020
Clinton 11 2022
Crawford 5 2005
Delta 2 2021
Dickinson 6 2019
Eaton 8 2018
Emmet 2 2011
Genesee 2 2001
Gladwin 7 1981
Gratiot 3 2019
Hillsdale 26 2022
Huron 9 2005
Ingham 12 2018
Ionia 13 2022
Iosco 2 1937
Iron 1 Historical
Isabella 8 2020
Jackson 13 2017
Kalamazoo 4 2022
Kent 16 2017
Lake 1 Historical
Lapeer 7 2016
Lenawee 15 2018
Livingston 13 2018
Luce 1 Historical
Mackinac 2 2007
Macomb 15 2012
Manistee 1 2011
Mecosta 2 1934
Menominee 12 2010
Midland 4 2020
Missaukee 5 2002
Monroe 11 2017
Montcalm 11 2015
Montmorency 3 1944
Muskegon 2 1936
Newaygo 4 1949
Oakland 20 2020
Oceana 2 2012
Ogemaw 6 2003
Osceola 9 2002
Oscoda 6 2016
Ottawa 1 Historical
Presque Isle 3 1948
Roscommon 3 1934
Saginaw 2 2011
Sanilac 9 2019
Schoolcraft 4 2018
Shiawassee 4 2001
St. Clair 13 2020
St. Joseph 12 2016
Tuscola 8 2011
Van Buren 10 2022
Washtenaw 22 2018
Wayne 9 1933
Wexford 2 1926

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 slippershell typically occurs in creeks and headwaters of rivers in sand or gravel substrates. Occasionally, they occur in larger rivers and lakes and in mud substrates.

Specific Habitat Needs

Sand, gravel substrates needed in: Headwater stream (1st-2nd order), riffle; Headwater stream (1st-2nd order), run; Inland lake, littoral, benthic; Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), run; Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), riffle.

Natural Community Types

  • Headwater stream (1st-2nd order), riffle
  • Headwater stream (1st-2nd order), run
  • Inland lake, littoral, benthic
  • Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), run
  • Mainstem stream (3rd-4th 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 slippershell requires clear, clean water and substrates for survival. Like other mussels, threats include: siltation, poor water quality, point and non-point source pollution, and alteration of natural flow regimes. Maintenance or establishment of vegetated riparian buffers can help protect mussel habitats from these threats. Additionally, zebra mussels and other exotic species are a major threat to all mussels. Hence, control and management of exotic species also help protect native mussel species. And as with all mussels, protection of their hosts habitat is also crucial.

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

  • Carman, S.M. 2002. Special Animal Abstract for Alasmidonta viridis (Slippershell mussel). Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing, MI. 3pp.
  • Clarke, A.H. 1981. The Freshwater Molluscs of Canada. National Museum of Natural Science, National Museums of Canada, Ottawa. 446pp.
  • 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.
  • Oesch, R.D. 1984. Missouri Naiades: a Guide to the Mussels of Missouri. Conservation Commision of the State of Missouri, Jefferson City. 270pp.

More Information