Higgins' Eye
Lampsilis higginsi (Lea)

Status: State Endangered (May 1, 1978). Federally Endangered (1973).

Occurence: Occurs in the Mississippi, lower Wisconsin, and St.Croix Rivers.

Aid to ID: Shell is thick and heavy, oval, elliptical or rhomboid. The anterior end is rounded and the posterior end is bluntly pointed in the male and truncated in the female. The beak is directed forward, swollen and elevated. The outer surface is yellowish-brown to olive-brown with faint to distinct green rays. Lateral teeth are thick. Nacre is silvery-white and sometimes pink. Length to 4 inches (10.2 cm).

Habitat: Inhabits deeper waters of rivers and large streams with gravel or sand substrates.

Management Considerations: 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.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has developed a recovery plan for the Higgins' eye.

The content for this page was originally presented in the Endangered and Threatened Invertebrates of Wisconsin, a free publication available by contacting the Endangered Resources Program.