Salamander mussel


Simpsonaias ambigua, the salamander mussel or mudpuppy mussel, is a species of bivalve in the family Unionidae. It is unique among freshwater mussels in using mudpuppies as its glochidial host. It is the only freshwater mussel known to have a non-fish host.

Distribution and conservation status

It is native to the United States and Ontario, Canada. The Canadian Species at Risk Act listed it in the List of Wildlife Species at Risk as being endangered in Canada.