FANSHELL (Cyprogenia stegaria)

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Description: The fanshell is a freshwater mollusk found in the rivers and streams of the Midwest and eastern United States. Their larvae attach themselves to the gills of fish, where they remain until they grow into juveniles with shells of their own. Adult fanshells bury themselves in sand or gravel with only their siphons exposed to the current. Dam and reservoir construction as well as sand and gravel mining have contributed to the destruction of much of the fanshell's habitat.

IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
USFWS Status: Endangered
Major Threat: Habitat destruction
Habitat: Streams and rivers
Location: Midwest and eastern United States
Diet: Likely detritus, diatoms, phytoplankton and zooplankton