New York Metropolitan Region and New Jersey
Freshwater Mussel Identification Handbook

Family Unionidae
Genus Pyganodon
 

    
Status: Pyganodon is a genus of several very similar species whose exact 
relationship and distribution in New York state remain unresolved. In the 
metro area, only Pyganodon cataracta is believed to occur. It is widespread in 
the upper Hudson and Delaware River watersheds, and in other areas of New 
Jersey, New York state, Connecticut and the Atlantic region.

    
Species Summary

    
Pyganodon cataracta (Say,  1817) eastern floater
Features:
  size: 100mm (up to 150mm)
  beak: sculpture of 5-7 low, evenly raised double loops elevated above hinge line
  color patterns: fine green color rays (may be absent in older individuals); periostracum
  usually greenish
  shape: elongate, sub-elliptical to sub-ovate
  shell features: smooth, thin shell; nacre bluish-white 
  teeth: absent

Status:
  abundance: abundant
  status: US, NY, NJ, CT: not legally protected

Distribution:
  N.A. distribution: Saint Lawrence River (Canada) to Georgia, and west nearly to
  Michigan
  present metro distribution: NY: upper Delaware River watershed; NJ: Passaic 
  River (lower Hudson River watershed); CT: Housatonic River watershed   MAP
  other regional localities:  NY: Lake Ontario watershed, southeastern and 
  southwestern Lake Ontario watersheds, Oswego River watershed, Housatonic River
  watershed, upper Hudson River watershed, upper Susquehanna River watershed;
  NJ: most New Jersey watersheds; CT: all watersheds
  historical localities: NY: Allegheny River watershed, St. Lawrence River watershed;
  CT: Southeast coast watershed
  
Life History:
  habitat: slow and standing water, including oxbows and sloughs; substrate of fine sand,
  mud, and even silt  Habitat Photo
  hosts: Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque, 1817) rock bass; Catostomus commersoni
  (Lacepede, 1803) white sucker; Cyprinus carpio (Linneaus, 1758) common carp; 
  Gasterosteus aculeatus (Linnaeus, 1758) threespine stickleback; Lepomis gibbosus
  (Linnaeus, 1758) pumpkinseed; Lepomis macrochirus (Rafinesque, 1819) bluegill; Perca
  flavescens (Mitchill, 1814) yellow perch

    
Key Features Refresher
Anterior and Posterior  
   Beak and Beak Sculpture   Color Ray
 Hinge Teeth   Length, Width, Height, Profile, Silhouette   
Growth Line  Posterior Ridge and Slope
Shell Shape

Plates
P. cataracta

    

    

    
exterior view
periostracum greenish, shell thin;
shape elongate, sub-elliptical to sub-ovate

    
interior view
 nacre white with pink and bluish color


    


     
 

    
 dorsal view

    
profile view

     

     
 

    
 

     

    
interior view
no teeth

    
 interior view
   both valves 



    
View other genera
Alasmidonta  Anodonta  Corbicula   Dreissena
 Elliptio  Lampsilis  Lasmigona  Leptodea   Ligumia   
Margaritifera  Pyganodon  Strophitus  Utterbackia