Classification: State Endangered
Interior
Exterior
NOTE: Hover over the bold words for definitions or see the Glossary.
This species lacks pseudocardinal and lateral teeth. The umbos of the barrel floater barely extend above the dorsal margin. This is similar to the paper pondshell, Utterbackia imbecillis; however, the barrel floater's height to length ratio is around 2 compared with 1.5 for the paper pondshell. The ventral margin of the barrel floater is broadly rounded and there are fine green rays on the periostracum. The shell may grow to over 100 mm in length.
Shell Anatomy
General Life History For Mussels