Plants and Animals
Lampsilis fasciola Wavyrayed lampmussel
Key Characteristics
The wavy-rayed lampmussel is a medium sized (to 3.5 inches) mussel with a moderately thick, rounded to ovate shell. The beak is slightly elevated above the hinge line and the beak sculpture consists of 3 to 5 indistinct wavy ridges. The shell is compressed to inflated (females) in shape and the anterior end is rounded with the posterior end bluntly pointed in males and rounded in females. The shell color ranges from yellow to yellowish green with numerous thin wavy green rays. The nacre is white and often iridescent posteriorly.
Status and Rank
US Status: No Status/Not Listed
State Status: T - Threatened (legally protected)
Global Rank: G5 - Secure
State Rank: S2 - Imperiled
Occurrences
| County | Number of Occurrences | Year Last Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsdale | 12 | 2018 |
| Jackson | 6 | 2010 |
| Leelanau | 1 | 2000 |
| Lenawee | 6 | 2000 |
| Livingston | 7 | 2018 |
| Macomb | 8 | 2011 |
| Manistee | 1 | 2014 |
| Monroe | 8 | 2000 |
| Oakland | 7 | 2019 |
| Sanilac | 2 | 2005 |
| St. Clair | 8 | 2011 |
| Van Buren | 1 | 1878 |
| Washtenaw | 16 | 2019 |
| Wayne | 9 | 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 wavy-rayed lampmussel occurs in small-medium sized shallow streams, in and near riffles, with good current. It rarely occurs in medium rivers. The substrate preference is sand and/or gravel (Watters 1993).
Specific Habitat Needs
Sand or gravel substrates needed in: Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), riffle.
Natural Community Types
- 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
Like other mussels, threats to the wavy-rayed lampmussel include: natural flow alterations, siltation, channel disturbance, point and non-point source pollution, and exotic species. Maintenance or establishment of vegetated riparian buffers can help protect mussel habitats from many of their threats. Control of zebra mussels is critical to preserving native mussels. Smallmouth bass are hosts to this species and so must be considered when managing for the wavy-rayed lampmussel.
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
- 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.
- Evers, D.C. 1994. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife of Michigan. The University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor. 412pp.
- Stagliano, D.M. 2001. Special Animal Abstract for Lampsilis fasciola (Wavy-rayed lampmussel). Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing, MI. 3pp.
- Watters, G.T. 1993. A guide to the freshwater mussels of Ohio. Revised Edition. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Columbus. 106 pages.