A number of species of mussels can be found in the Cannon River near Carleton College. Information from both a 1988 survey done by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and a student survey performed in 1997 has been compiled below to give an idea of the current, past, and future situation of mussels in the Cannon.
Mussels of the Cannon River near Carleton College
* indicates species was found in a 1997 student survey of the Cannon near Carleton
Black Sandshell* – Ligumia recta
Creek Heelsplitter – Lasmigona compressa
Cylinder – Anodontoides ferussacianus
Ellipse – Venustaconcha ellipsiformis
Fatmucket* – Lampsilis siliquoidea
Floater – Venustaconcha ellipsiformis
Fluted Shell – Lasmigona costata
Fragile Papershell – Leptodea fragilis
Mucket – Actinonaias ligamentina
Pink Heelsplitter* – Potamilus alatus (Proptera alata)
Pocketbook* – Lampsilis cardium (Lampsilis ovata ventricosa)
Round Pigtoe – Pleurobema coccineum
Spike – Elliptio dilatata
Strange Floater – Strophitus undulatus
White Heelsplitter* – Lasmigona complanata