Lampsilis virescens

Alabama Lamp Mussel

FWS Focus

Overview

Characteristics
Overview

The Alabama lampmussel is a medium sized freshwater mussel and can be found in limited portions of the Paint Rock River system in Jackson County, Alabama, and potentially into Franklin County, Tennessee, and in the upper Emory River, Morgan County, Tennessee.

Scientific Name

Lampsilis virescens
Common Name
Alabama lamp mussel
Alabama lamp pearly mussel
Alabama lampmussel
FWS Category
Clams
Kingdom

Location in Taxonomic Tree

Identification Numbers

TSN:

Characteristics

Characteristic category

Physical Characteristics

Characteristics
Size & Shape

The Alabama lampmussel usually measures less than 75 millimeters (approximately 3 inches) in length with a moderately thick/moderately inflated shell.

Color & Pattern

The shell is often tawny to greenish yellow, with white nacre (Williams et al. 2008).

Characteristic category

Habitat

Characteristics
Habitat

Historically, the lampmussel occurred in small creeks to large rivers; however, at present, it seems to only persist in small to moderate-sized streams in areas of slow to moderate current within sand and gravel substrates.  The lampmussel has also been found in areas with stand of water willow (Justicia americana) (Williams et al. 2008).

River or Stream

A natural body of running water.

Geography

Characteristics
Range

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