S H [^^ A.e- vVU'. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE , BUREAU OF FISHERIES Economic Circular No. 15 :::::::: : Issued April 8, 1915 THE COMMON AND SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF FRESH-WATER MUSSELS." It is a matter of general knowledge that the common names of mussels, like those of fish, are not fixed. Therefore, in recording definite information regarding the distribution or qualities of species it becomes necessary to use tlie scientific or Latin names, which cor- respond not only to explicit published descriptions of species, but also to type specimens located in museums. There are examples of shells which may seem intermediate and of doubtful identification, but the scientific name offers the nearest practicable approach to a positive nomenclature. Should one write of the "bank-climbers," a reader familiar with common names as used on the Wabash River understands that refer- ence is made to a shell of wliite nacre very similar to the yellow sand- shell but inferior in quality {Lampsilis fallaciosa) ; wliile one more familiar with the common names applied in Arkansas would think reference was made to a very different species having a purple nacre and regarded as worthless for purposes of manufacture {Quadrula tra- pezoides). It is unavoidable, therefore, that in its publications the Bureau should use the scientific names of unmistakable application, while it endeavors to couple with such names the appropriate common names. On account of the direct commercial value of some 40 species of fresh-water mussels, there are many persons without scientific training who are yet interested in scientific papers dealing with their distribution, habits, and life history. It has been suggested that the Bureau should publisli in con- venient reference form a list of the species most commonly mentioned, showing the scientific name witli its common equivalent. The list which follows is not offered as complete. Where two or more com- mon names occur, the first-mentioned is given as the one in most general use and the one which it is desirable should be universally accepted. Tlie species adapted for present commercial use are mdi- cated by the use of boldface type, but some of the marked species a By Robert E. Coker, dii-ector of the United States Fisheries Biological Station, Fairport, Iowa. are not highly valued and others that are not here rated as commer- cial are sometimes used in manufacture. In a third column there are singled out certain qualities or charac- ters which determine the commercial rating. The record of these qualities will be of some value and will also serve to aid anyone familiar with mussels to relate the common and scientific names in cases of present confusion. The list thus becomes a catalogue of the commercial and noncommercial species more commonly encountered by pearlers and shell fishermen. It may be noted that while a commercial species may vary in quality according to the locality from which it comes, it is almost universally true that a commercial species is a commercial species wherever found. A striking exception is the case of the fat mucket, which, as found in some lakes, is entirely worthless, while in other places, as in Lake Pepin, it appears as one of the most valuable of all shells. It seems unavoidable, therefore, that a distinctive name, such as "Lake Pepin mucket," should be retained m use for the good form characteristic of certain bodies of water. It may be added that the Lake Pepin mucket is not a true mucket, but is really a fat mucket which is greatly superior not only to ordinary fat muckets but even to the true muckets of the river or of Lake Pepm itself. A more appropriate common name might be desirable, but it is not our purpose here to create new names, and "Lake Pepin mucket" represents an unmistakable type. Two questions that may arise from perusal of the list may be anticipated. The three-ridge and the blue-point are certainly not regularly distingushed. Perhaps the two species (Q. undulata and Q. iMcata) are somewhat arbitrary. As used here, the three-ridge {undulata) is the more compressed form characteristic of headwater streams or shallow clearer streams, and the blue-point (plicata) is characteristic of the deeper and slacker waters of main streams. Essentially the same difference of distribution is noted in the case of the two purple warty-backs — the more compressed Q. tuber culata and the heavier Q. granifera; as the shells of neither are valued, no distinction by common name has arisen in this case. The scientific nomenclature followed is that of Simpson's descrip- tive catalogue." Investigations of the present and future will lead to some permanent changesof scientific nomenclature, winch wiU probably affect generic names (the first name in each case) more than specific names (the second name). It seems obviously advisable to follow the only complete monograph now available, even though a revision might be necessary after some years. • ■ o Simpson, Charles Torrey: A descriptive catalogue of the Naiades or pearly fresh-water mussels. Bryant WaUcer, publisher, Detroit, Mich., 1914. APR J« 1915 List op the Common Mussel Species and Some of Their Characters. ^ (Note. — C after the scientific name indicates that the species is used commercially, but that owing to its scarcity or inferior quality it has little standing as a commercial shell.] Scientific name . Common name. Characters. Alasmidonta calceola Alasmidonta marginata. Anodonta corpiilenta . . . Anodonta grandis Arcidens confragosus Cy]5rogenia irrorata, C. Dromus dromus, C . Lampsilis alata Lampsilis anodontoides. Lampsilis capax Lampsilis faUaciosa, C Slipper-shell a Elk-toe , Slop-bucket Floater Rock pocketbook; bastard; rock-shell. Fan-shell; ringed warty- back. a Dromedary mussel a Pink heel-splitter; pancake; hatchet-back. Yellow sand - shell; ba- nana-she 0. Pocketbook Lampsilis gracilis Lampsilis higglnsii Lampsilis iris Lampsilis Ifevissima Lampsilis ligamentina. Lampsilis ligaiuentina gibba. Lampsilis luteola Lampsilis ovata. Lampsilis perdix Lampsilis pm-purata . Lampsilis recta. . . . Lampsilis ventricosa . . . Margaritana margaritifera. Margaritana monodonta. Medionidus subtentus.. . Micromya cselata Obliquaria reflexa, C... Obovaria ellipsis Slough sand-shell; bank- climber (Indiana). Paper-shell , Hlggin's eye Rainbow-shell « Paper-shell , Mucket; includes grass mucket. Southern mucket; yel- low-back mucket. Fat mucket; Lake Pepin mucket. Grandma; southern pocket- book. a Pheasant shell a Purply Black sand-shell; long John; honest John (Michi- gan). Pocketbook River pearl mussel . Plagiola elegans. . Plagiola securis . Spectacle-case Fluted kidney-shell Bird-wing a Three - horned warty-back. Hickory-nut; Missouri nig- gerhead. Deer-toe Butterfly Pleurobema sesopus, C Ptychobranchus phaseolus, C. Quadrula coccinea, C Bullhead; sheepnose; "clear profit." Kidney-shell Flat niggerhead Quadrula cylindrica Rabbit's foot. Quadrula ebenus Quadrula granite ra Quadrula heros Quadrula lachrymosa. Quadrula metanevra . Quadrula obliqvia Niggerhead Purple warty-back. Washboard Maple-leaf. Monkey-face Ohio River pig-toe . Quadrula plicata Blue-point Quadrula pustulata, C . Quadrula pustulosa. Quadrula subrotunda, C Long solid Quadrula trapezoides Bank-clunber Quadrula tuberculata Purple warty-back . Quadrula undata Pig-toe " Quadrula undulata Three-ridge Strophitus edentulus. |Pimple-back; warty-back Squaw-foot . Verv small. Small. Inflated, thin-shelled. Thin-sheUed. Rough exterior, inclined to be thin and brittle. Quality acceptable but hard; rather small and scarce . Similar to fan-shell in quality. Thin, brittle; generally purple or pink. Best for novelty and export trade; well known. Thin, inflated, often pink; not comnionly distinguished from ventricosa. Thinnish; large shells used; similar to yel- low sand-sheU, but restricted in distribu- tion, and generally too thin and small. V^ery thin. Raiiks with mucket. Small; like a very young mucket. Very thin. Staple shell; well known. Unsurpassed for buttons. Cuts and finishes with least waste; quality excellent. Like ventricosa, but thinner and more brittle. Like mucket, but too brittle and thin. Thin and purple-nacre d. White examples good; in form like yellow sand-shell. Inflated; inclined to brittleness; useful for novelties. Thin; not foimd in Mississippi Basin; pearl mussel of Europe and north-Atlantic drainage. Thin and brittle. Small. Very small. Small; otherwise equal to pimple-back. Good; yields some "iridescents;" accepta- ble with niggerhead. Small, white. Excellent, but never abundant; quality like mucket, but superior. Tough, brittle. Good, but hard and scarce. Quality good, but yields many "tips;" thin; often puik. Long, narrow, rough back; hard; often stained. Unsurpassed; yields "iridescents." Good quality, but purple-nacred. Very large; usually second grade; often dis- colored by stains; valued chiefly for large buttons. Rough back; excellent in texture; yields "iridescents," but thinnish at tips. Like maple-leaf, but inferior. Good quality; pure white, but lacking in luster. Staple shell of second quality. Quality good; yields iridescents; almost equal to niggerhead. These two species not commonly distinguished. Like niggerhead. Purple nacre . Purple; not distinguished from granifera. Good; somewhat inferior to niggerhead. Like plicata; quality superior, but thinnish at tip. Thin, inflated; generally yellowish. a Book name; no common name. List of the Common Mussel Species and Some of Their Characters — Con. Scientific name. Common name. Characters. Symphynota complanata, C. White heel -splitter; hackle-back; elephant's ear (Indiana). Fluted shell Large examples good, but often brittle. Generally too thin and ott' -color. Tritogonia tuberculata Buckhorn; pistol-grip Sugar-spoon a. Rough exterior; quality good. Oyster mussel o [small. Cat's paw; pewee Snuffbox a Elephant's ear Nacre generally purple, pink, or salmon; quality otherwise unsurpassed, nacre be- ing soft but firm; preferred for novelties. Resembles elephant's ear, but smaller, longer, and often with uneven inner sur- face. Lady-flnger; spike a Book name; no common name. WASHINGTON : GOVEENMEXT PRINTING OFFICE : 1915 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 002 903 629 9