Endangered Resources Program Species Information
Higgins' Eye (Lampsilis higginsii)

Overview

Species Overview

Higgin's eye (Lampsilis higginsi), a mussel listed as Endangered at the Federal and State level, is found in large rivers in the western part of the state. It is found in flowing waters with various stable substrate types but seems to prefer stable sand. Several common fish species have been recorded as its host, including drum, large and small mouth bass, walleye, and sauger.

Status and NHI Documented Occurrences in Wisconsin

The table below provides information about the protected status (State and Federal Status) and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Higgins' Eye (Lampsilis higginsii). See the Working List Key for more information about the abbreviations used. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. For invertebrates, dots depict locations from the "Invertebrate Atlas," a database with occurrences of rare and common aquatic and select terrestrial invertebrate species found in Wisconsin and adjacent areas. While the invertebrate atlas is a quality assured database, not all records have been verified. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.

Summary Information State Status: END Federal Status in Wisconsin: LE State Rank: S1 Global Rank: G1 Tracked by NHI: Y Species of Greatest Conservation Need: Y

Detailed Information

Identification: Shell is thick and heavy, oval, elliptical or rhomboid. The anterior end is rounded and the posterior end is bluntly pointed in the male and truncated in the female. The beak is directed forward, swollen and elevated. The outer surface is yellowish-brown to olive-brown with faint to distinct green rays. Lateral teeth are thick. Nacre is silvery-white and sometimes pink. Length to 4 inches (10.2 cm).

Habitat: Inhabits deeper waters of rivers and large streams with gravel or sand substrates.

State Distribution: Occurs in the Mississippi, lower Wisconsin, and St.Croix Rivers.

Phenology: Glochidia from this species have been found on largemouth bass (Micropteris salmoides) and walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) in July and sauger (S. canadense) in October. Other fish reported as hosts are bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellis), freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens), northern pike (Esox lucius),smallmouth bass (Micropteris dolomieu), and yellow perch (Perca flavescens). Breeding season is from July through October.

Management Guidance: Habitat destruction and river pollution have resulted in mussel declines. Protection of habitat and improvements in water quality along with restriction of dredging, impoundments, sand and gravel mining, and navigational improvements would benefit this species.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has developed a recovery plan for the Higgin’s eye.

Information compiled from publication PUB-ER-085-99 (now out-of-print).

Photos

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Photo ©  Illinois Natural History Survey.

Photo by Lisie Kitchell, WDNR.

Related Links

Links to Additional Higgins' Eye Information

• US Fish & Wildlife Service [Exit DNR]
• Illinois Natural History Survey [Exit DNR]
• MN Department of Natural Resources [Exit DNR]

Other Links Related to Mussels and Clams

• Illinois Natural History Survey [Exit DNR]
• The Field Museum [Exit DNR]
• Conchologists of America [Exit DNR]
• EPA Biological Indicators of Watershed Health [Exit DNR]
• Milwaukee Public Museum [Exit DNR]