Page 240 - The Freshwater Mussels of Oklahoma

Description:
“Adults with a distinctively shaped, elongate, triangular, and inflated shell.
Highly variable with respect to color as its scientific name polymorpha (many forms)
indicates. Most are white or cream-colored with jagged lateral brown to black stripes or
bands, which give the species its common name. Some have longitudinal bands, and all-
cream or all-black individuals have been found. Length to 1.5 inches (3.8 cm).
No pseudocardinal or lateral teeth. A small shelf or septum present at the anterior
end forming a moderately deep beak cavity. Nacre white and somewhat polished”
(Cummings and Mayer, 1992).
Comments:
This species was first found in the United States in the Great Lakes area in the
1980’s. It rapidly spread throughout all of the Great Lakes and almost the entire
Mississippi River system within the next decade. The species was originally found in
eastern Europe.
General Distribution:
Currently in North America, the species is found throughout the Great Lakes
region and most of the Mississippi River system from the Gulf of Mexico to Minnesota
and up the Ohio River and many of its tributaries. It has also appeared in several Atlantic
Coast drainages.
Oklahoma Distribution:
The Zebra Mussel first appeared in Oklahoma in the Arkansas River navigation
system in 1993. Currently (2004) it has been reported from the Arkansas River
navigation system down to the Arkansas state line, the Verdigris River, and Lakes Kaw
and Oologah (Jim Schooley, pers. comm.).

Map 48. Distribution of D. polymorpha in Oklahoma.

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