Not Your Great-grandfather's Snuff Box!
Evolution is an amazing thing. Freshwater mussels need a host fish to help carry on their species; and they have evolved quite a variety of lures, and behaviors to trick that special fish, into carrying its larvae (glochidia). One of more interesting and just short of lethal behaviors belongs to the Epioblasma. The commonly called Snuffbox mussel for example says it all.
See it in action capturing its host fish, the logperch (Percina caprodes), HERE.
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| photo: MC Barnhart |
And HERE is another fascinating look at different mussel adaptations used to lure their specific host fish; and a look at a great mussel conservation program going on in Missouri.
