Monkeyface
Quadrula metanevra (Raf.)

Hold mouse over picture to view a photo of the underside.

Status: State Threatened (August 1, 1989).

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

Aid to ID: Shell is heavy and brown with numerous postules on the anterior and behind the beak. The beak is high, inflated and directed forward with small irregular ridges on the posterior part extending into 3-5 large knobs on the posterior ridge. The outer surface often has dark green streaks and zigzag, triangular, or chevron-shaped green markings. Lateral teeth are straight and short and the pseudocardinal teeth are massive. The beak cavity is deep and the nacre is white. Length to 4 inches (10.2 cm).

Habitat: Inhabits medium to large rivers in gravel or mixed sand and gravel.

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 development of fish runways to facilitate the movement of host species through or around locks and dams would also help to protect this species.

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.