Alabama Heelsplitter

Adults are largely sedentary but individuals have been known to move up to 10 feet (NatureServe 2019). The inflated heelsplitter has been known to rapidly recolonize recently dredged sand bars, indicating that they are a pioneer species in recently disturbed areas with suitable habitat ().

Adults are largely sedentary but individuals have been known to move up to 10 feet. The inflated heelsplitter has been known to rapidly recolonize recently dredged sand bars, indicating that they are a pioneer species in recently disturbed areas with suitable habitat.

The inflated heelsplitter has an oval, compressed to moderately inflated, thin shell. There is a prominent wing that distinguishes this species. The internal shell is pink to purple in color. Maximum shell length in adults is about 6.3 inches.

The shell is brown to black and may have green rays in young individuals. The umbonal cavity is very shallow and the inside shell (nacre) is pink to purple.

By drawing water inside their shells through a siphon their gills filter out food, mainly tiny plants and animals called plankton suspended in the water.

The life history of this federally listed mussel is not completely known but presumed to be similar to that of other Unionids. It is known to be a long-term brooder, gravid from fall to early summer.  It is known to be sexually dimorphic ). The only reported host is the freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens).

Young larvae (glochidia) attach to a fish host, known to be the freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens). Once mature, the juvenile mussels drop off the fish and burrow into appropriate substrate. When the mussels have reached sexual maturity the male disperses sperm and the water current carries it to the female where fertilization occurs.

The inflated heelsplitter often inhabits soft, stable stream bottoms in slow to moderate currents . It has been found in sand, mud, silt and sandy gravel, but not in large gravel or armored gravel.

Pink heelsplitter (Potamilus ohioensis)