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Lampsilis teres

(Rafinesque, 1820)

Yellow Sandshell

G5Secure Found in 1 roadless area NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
MediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1156059
Element CodeIMBIV21400
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryInvertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumMollusca
ClassBivalvia
OrderUnionoida
FamilyUnionidae
GenusLampsilis
Concept Reference
Keogh, S. M., and A. M. Simons. 2019. Molecules and morphology reveal ‘new’ widespread North American freshwater mussel species (Bivalvia: Unionidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 138:182-192.
Taxonomic Comments
Lampsilis sietmani is recognized as separate from L. teres based on morphometric and molecular phylogenetic analyses by Keogh and Simons (2019).

Previously, Lampsilis floridensis was elevated from synonymy with Lampsilis teres based on shell morphology and genetic analysis (Williams et al., 2008). As a result, occurrences of what were formerly attributed to Lampsilis teres from the Tampa Bay drainages of Florida west to the Escambia River drainage in Alabama and Florida are now considered Lampsilis floridensis.

Because conchological differences exhibited by the putative three subspecies of L. teres (L. teres teres, L. teres anodontoides, and L. teres fallaciosa) appear to represent ecophenotypic variation, the subspecies are not recognized by Turgeon et al. (1998) or Williams et al. (2008).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-06-25
Change Date1996-11-25
Edition Date2024-06-25
Edition AuthorsCordeiro, J. (2011), minor rev. M. Ormes (2020); rev. T. Cornelisse (2024)
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
Despite some localized threats and declines, this species has a large range and number of occurrences, and it has been documented across its range consistently in recent years.
Range Extent Comments
This species is widespread throughout the Mississippi River drainage in the United States and occurs from South Dakota to West Virginia, south to Georgia and the Florida panhandle and west to Texas (Keogh and Simons 2019; GBIF 2024; InvertEBase 2024).
Occurrences Comments
This species is known from > 1000 occurrences using a 2 km separation distance and records from 1993-2024 (GBIF 2024; InvertEBase 2024).
Threat Impact Comments
This species is threatened by habitat fragmentation and alteration cause by dams, pollution and sedimentation from agricultural activities, and invasive zebra mussels in some parts of its range (Nebraska Natural Heritage Program 2018; Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2023).
Ecology & Habitat

Description

See Clench and Turner (1956).

Diagnostic Characteristics

Elongate (2:1 L:H), fairly inflated, yellowish, rayless, and fairly smooth periostracum, white lustrous nacre.

Habitat

This species is found in small to large rivers with slow to moderate current with sand, mud, or fine gravel substrate (Johnson 1972; Heard 1979).
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
MinnesotaS1Yes
GeorgiaS5Yes
KentuckyS4Yes
ArkansasSNRYes
IowaSNRYes
NebraskaS1Yes
TennesseeS4Yes
South DakotaS2Yes
TexasS5Yes
OhioSNRYes
IllinoisS4Yes
KansasS2Yes
West VirginiaS1Yes
New YorkSHYes
AlabamaS5Yes
IndianaS4Yes
MississippiS5Yes
MissouriS4Yes
OklahomaSNRYes
WisconsinS1Yes
LouisianaS5Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
7 - Natural system modificationsRestricted (11-30%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineModerate (short-term)
7.2 - Dams & water management/useRestricted (11-30%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineModerate (short-term)
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesLarge - restrictedModerate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
8.2 - Problematic native species/diseasesLarge - restrictedModerate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
8.2.2 - Named speciesLarge - restrictedModerate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
9 - PollutionLarge (31-70%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
9.3 - Agricultural & forestry effluentsLarge (31-70%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (1)
Texas (1)
AreaForestAcres
Winters BayouNational Forests in Texas730
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