Juvenile Winged Mapleleaf Mussels Under 40X Magnification

This image of 22-day-old endangered Winged Mapleleaf mussels was captured in a USGS lab before they were released in the Chippewa River, WI, on June 23. 

Historically, Winged Mapleleaf mussels were widespread within the central United States, but today they are federally endangered. In 2016 the USFWS reintroduced propagated adult mussels into the Chippewa River, which is known to contain high quality mussel habitat. The goal of this year’s juvenile mussel release is to increase numbers, genetic diversity, and age structure of the population that was introduced in 2016.

This image was taken at 40X magnification. Their shells are translucent when young, so you can see their internal body parts. The brownish coloration in most of these mussels is food in their digestive tracts!

Partners in this effort include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Wild Rivers Conservancy, as well as Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, University of Minnesota, and Macalester College.