Margaritifera falcata
• Found from California to southern British Columbia west of Rocky Mountains
• Isolated populations in Oklahoma
• In decline across much of its range
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Unionoida |
| Family: | Margaritiferidae |
Identification Tips:
• Thick, dark shell
• Tooth-like protrusions form interlocking hinge
• to 15 cm
Life History:
• Prefer fast flowing rocky-bottom streams
• Burrower, most of the population is typically under the surface
• Larvae are parasitic on gills of salmonids
| POLLUTION TOLERANCE | ||||
| Very Sensitive | Somewhat Sensitive | Facultative | Somewhat Tolerant | Very Tolerant |
| Some | Most | |||
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Primary Information Source:
Voshell, J. Reese. 2002. A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America. McDonald and Woodward Publishing Company. Blacksburg, Virginia.
