Fragile Papershell

Leptodea fragilis

Unionidae (freshwater mussels) in the phylum Mollusca


Shell is thin, fragile or brittle, oblong to oval; dorsal wing on young, often eroding with age. Umbo is flattened and barely above hinge line. Epidermis is light yellowish-tan to dirty yellow-brown in adults; faint, narrow green rays may cover shell. Inside shell beak cavity is shallow; pseudocardinal teeth small, thin and reduced; lateral teeth smooth, moderate length, very thin, blade-like and high; nacre (lining) bluish-white, iridescent throughout and may be pinkish dorsally.

Similar species: Pink papershells have darker epidermis and purple to purplish-bronze nacre.


Adult length: 3-6 inches.

Habitat and conservation

Streams of all sizes in reduced current in pure mud to firm sand to mud-gravel and gravel. Does well in both clear and murky water.



image of Fragile Papershell Distribution Map
Distribution in Missouri

Widespread and locally common where found; absent from southward-flowing streams in south-central Ozarks, just north of the Arkansas border.



Life cycle

Males release sperm directly into water. Females downstream siphon sperm into the gill chamber, where eggs are fertilized. Eggs mature into larvae (called glochidia), which discharge into the water and attach to host fish--in this species, usually freshwater drum. The tiny mussel eventually breaks away and floats to the bottom of the stream, and the cycle repeats.

Human connections


Ecosystem connections
