Eastern Pondmussel

(Sagittunio nasutus)

Known fish hosts of this species include Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus). This zipper-like display is created by the mussel folding a portion of the mantle to expose its white inner surface as well as the white gills. That fold is run quickly back and forth along the length of the mantle like almost resembling a string of LED lights. In the wild, this species typically comes far out of the substrate to create a vertical zipper effect.

Source: Broad River, near Columbia, SC