Chipola Slabshell

The Chipola slabshell is a freshwater mussel that is oval shaped with a reddish-brown outer shell. They can have dark and light bands on the outer shell and the inside of the shell is reddish-yellow. They can reach a length of up to 8.5 cm (3.3 in). There is no sexual dimorphism shown in the characteristic of the shells.

Specifically found in northwest Florida in the Chipola River. They inhabit freshwater rivers with slow to medium currents and rest in a sandy or silt floor. Many are found in sloping bank habitats as well.

In their immature life stage, they are considered parasitic and retrieve their nutrients from a host fish. In their mature life stage, they filter feed for plankton and detritus (dead organic matter).

Currently, there is little information known about their complete life history. However, current beliefs suggest that males release sperm in the water and the female collects it via a siphon. Then, the eggs are fertilized in the shell of the female before the larvae are released into the water. Larvae development is dependent on a host fish. Meaning, larvae will attach themselves to the fins and gills of a host fish and young mussels will fall to the ground where it will settle. Once reaching sexual maturity, it can reach a length of up to 8.5 cm (3.3 in.). There is currently no information on its growth rate, offspring quality and quantity, age of dispersal, annual dormancy, or age-specific mortality rates.