Plants and Animals
Simpsonaias ambigua Salamander mussel
Key Characteristics
The salamander mussel has a small (to 2 inches), thin, elliptical shell. The anterior and posterior edges are rounded and the dorsal and ventral margins are parallel. The beak is closer to the anterior edge than the posterior edge and is sharp and pointed forward. The beak sculpture consists of 3 to 5 parallel double-looped bars. The lateral teeth are usually absent and the hinge teeth are incomplete and irregular and only one cardinal tooth is present in each valve. The outside shell is smooth and dull yellow-tan to dark brown with no rays and the nacre is bluish white and iridescent.
Status and Rank
US Status: No Status/Not Listed
State Status: E - Endangered (legally protected)
Global Rank: G1G2 - Rank is uncertain, ranging from critically imperiled to imperiled
State Rank: S1 - Critically imperiled
Occurrences
| County | Number of Occurrences | Year Last Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Cheboygan | 1 | 1912 |
| Lenawee | 1 | 1930 |
| Monroe | 2 | 1977 |
| Oakland | 1 | 2019 |
| Sanilac | 2 | 1998 |
| St. Clair | 4 | 2003 |
| Wayne | 2 | 1998 |
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 salamander mussel is found in medium to large rivers and lakes. It is usually found in silt or sand under flat stones. Although this mussel is rare, it is usually abundant in patches. Its presence is usually linked to that of the mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus), its host.
Specific Habitat Needs
Flat rocks or stones needed in: Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), pool; Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), run; Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), riffle; River (5th-6th order), pool; River (5th-6th order), run; River (5th-6th order), riffle.
Natural Community Types
- Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), pool
- Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), run
- Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), riffle
- River (5th-6th order), pool
- River (5th-6th order), run
- 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
Like other mussels, threats to the salamander 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. And as with all mussels, protection of their host’s 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
- 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. 2002. Special Animal Abstract for Simpsonaias ambigua (Salamander mussel). Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing, MI. 2pp.
- 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.