The Higgins-eye
mussel (Lampsilis higginsi ) is an inhabitant of
large rivers in the Mid-west. Once more
common the Higgins-eye is now restricted primaily to the main
channel of the Mississippi River and is a federally endangered
species. Prefered substrates appear to be gravel, sand, or
mud. The shells are thick and heavy, and yellowish-brown in
color with green or dark rays. They are
rounded-oval in shape, have relatively smooth shell, and can grow to ~
4
inches in length. As with other lampsiline mussels females have a
distinctly
expanded posterior and display a modified mantle margin that resembles
a small fish.