Each freshwater mussel species has its own unique host fish requirements, and they each have their own ways of attracting those fish. These are some of the photos we have taken here at NC State University of these host attraction strategies. These photos are available for public use. We simply ask you credit the photo to the Yates Mill Aquatic Conservation Center at NC State University.

Yellow Lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa) displaying mantle lure.
Yellow Lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa) with mantle lure
Underwater photo of gravid Eastern Lampmussel (Lampsilis radiata) from the Eno River. The mussel sits high out of the sand substrate, and the lure protrusion uniquely protrudes from the ventral part of the shell. The mantle itself is dark and fleshy.
Gravid Eastern Lampmussel (Lampsilis radiata)
Underwater photo of undescribed Lampsilis sp with mantile lure from the Atlantic Slope of North Carolina. The mantle lure has an eye spot and has especially frilly margins.
Underwater photo of the Wavy-rayed Lampmussel (Lampsilis fasciola) with mantle lure. Mantle lure appears as a fish-like mimic.
Underwater photo of the Wavy-rayed Lampmussel (Lampsilis fasciola) with mantle lure. Mantle lure appears as a fish-like mimic.
Gravid Notched Rainbow (Venustaconcha constricta) with mantle lure
Underwater photo of gravid Eastern Creekshell (Villosa delumbis) with mantle lure.
White, worm-like conglutinates of the James Spinymussel (Parvaspina collina) in a petri dish of water.
A 40x image of a conglutinate of the James Spinymussel (Parvaspina collina) on a black background. The conglutinate has a mixture of viable glochidia and non-viable eggs ringed around an elongate matrix.
A 200x zoom image of a three glochidia in a conglutinate of the James Spinymussel (Parvaspina collina) on a black background.
A 200x zoom image of a glochidium of the Creeper (Strophitus undulatus) on the end of a white conglutinate with a black background.
A 100x zoom image of four glochidia of the Creeper (Strophitus undulatus) on an elongate white conglutinate with a black background.
Atlantic Pigtoe (Fusconaia masoni) adult in a petri dish of water with released conglutinates. Conglutinates are small, red, and worm-like in appearance.
100x zoom image of red Atlantic Pigtoe conglutinate. Conglutinate is a mixture of red, unfertilized eggs and white, viable glochidia.
Adult Atlantic Pigtoe mussel in a small petri dish of water with a few dozen white, worm-like conglutinates
Seven white, ribbon-like conglutinates of the Atlantic Pigtoe in a petri dish lined up in parallel. Conglutinates are a mixture of unfertilized eggs and viable glochidia. These eggs are white.
Fluted Kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus subtentus) in a glass jar releasing conglutinates. Conglutinates resemble black fly pupa. Some gather around the shell margins while 3 are in suspension

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