New York Metropolitan Region and New Jersey
Freshwater Mussel Identification Handbook


    


    
Pyganodon cataracta

Metro distribution: NY: not present in 
metro area; NJ: Hudson, Delaware, and 
Passaic River watersheds; CT: Fairfield Co.
Extralimitally, this species is also common 
in the upper and western St. Lawrence River 
watersheds of New York

Conservation status: Abundant, utililizing 
a wide range of habitats from marshes and 
ponds to lakes, creeks and rivers; favors 
quiet water

Conservation challenges: Healthy
populations of its hosts and its adaptation
to a wide range of habitats have helped
Pyganodon maintain healthy populations in
the metro area.  As with other species that
are still common and abundant, all known
sites should be regularly monitored and new
ones sought- particularly in New York