Endangered Resources Program Species Information
Spectacle Case (Cumberlandia monodonta)
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Overview
Species Overview
Spectacle case (Cumberlandia monodonta), a mussel listed as Endangered in Wisconsin and currently under review by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for federal listing. This species is found in large rivers in the western part of the state. It lives beneath large boulders, rock ledges or in rock crevices. The host organism is still unknown.
Status and NHI Documented Occurrences in Wisconsin
The table below provides information about the protected status (State and Federal Status) and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Spectacle Case (Cumberlandia monodonta). See the Working List Key for more information about the abbreviations used. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. For invertebrates, dots depict locations from the "Invertebrate Atlas," a database with occurrences of rare and common aquatic and select terrestrial invertebrate species found in Wisconsin and adjacent areas. While the invertebrate atlas is a quality assured database, not all records have been verified. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.
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Detailed Information
Identification: Elongate shell somewhat pinched in the middle with poorly developed teeth. Shell’s surface is smooth and brown when young, becoming dark green, brown, or black and rayless with age. The anterior and posterior ends are rounded. Ventral margin is broadly concave while the dorsal margin is broadly convex. Shell is thin when young, becoming thicker in older individuals. The beak sculpture has three or four heavy ridges. The nacre is white. Length to 8 inches (20.3 cm).
Habitat: Inhabits large rivers with swiftly flowing water, most often found among boulders in patches of sand, cobble, or gravel where the current is reduced.
State Distribution: Occurs in the Chippewa, Mississippi, and St.Croix Rivers.
Phenology: The glochidial host fish is unknown for this species. It has been observed gravid from May through June.
Management Guidance: Habitat destruction and river pollution have resulted in mussel declines. Protection of habitat and improvements in water quality along with restriction of dredging, impoundments, sand and gravel mining, and navigational improvements would benefit this species.
Information compiled from publication PUB-ER-085-99 (now out-of-print).
Photos
No additional photos are available for Spectacle Case at this time.
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