 Easy and accurate use of this handbook relies on a familiarity with
mussel shell features. The links below open images and descriptions of
the most important of these, illustrating them with typical examples from
metro area specimens. Most of our taxa are relatively easy to identify
by careful use of these external features alone; for problematic taxa,
a key to area species has been provided by the New Jersey Endangered
and Nongame Species Program.
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 To aid in the conservation of living mussels, only the shell features are
illustrated. Use of the soft tissues and internal organs, often used for
accurate determination of genera, requires the death of the animal and
its careful preservation. The killing of mussels for identification is
strongly discouraged, as it is rarely required in our area to make an
accurate determination. In addition, many of our species are legally
protected by state and federal law. Careful observation, notetaking,
photography, and examination of spent shells are recommended instead. For information on
regulations governing the collection of mussel specimens or spent shells, please go to: Permits
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New York Metropolitan Region and New Jersey Freshwater Mussel Identification Handbook
