The cylindrical papershell is found in the mid to upper Mississippi River, the St. Lawrence River and in the Great Lakes. In the Canadian Interior Basin it occurs in the Albany River system and areas drained by the Nelson River, and is also found in the Ottawa River. In general its range extends as far south as Tennessee and Arkansas, as far west as Colorado, and as far north as Manitoba.

In Michigan A. ferussacianus is found in creeks and small rivers in almost every county in both the upper and lower peninsulas.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )

occurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Global Range: (200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)) This species is distributed in the Mississippi River system from Pennsylvania and Tennessee west to Minnesota and Colorado; St. Lawrence River system and the Great Lakes (Burch, 1975). In Canada, this species has several secure populations in Manitoba and Ontario and likely Saskatchewan, fewer populations in Quebec, and occurs in Alberta but status unknown (Metcalfe-Smith and Cudmore-Vokey, 2004).

The cylindrical papershell is up to 7.6 cm (3 inches) long , and is elongate and elliptical. The shell is usually fairly thin and inflated. The   anterior end is rounded, the posterior end bluntly pointed. The dorsal margin is straight to slightly curved and the ventral margin is slightly rounded, a slight arch, or “pinch” in the middle.

Umbos are low, raised only slightly above the hinge line. The beak sculpture has three or four very fine V shaped ridges.

The periostracum (outer shell layer) is light green to yellowish-brown. Beaks are generally lighter. Older specimens tend to be more brown.

On the inner shell, both the left and right valve lack   pseudocardinal teeth but have swellings on the hinge line beneath the beaks. Lateral teeth are also absent.

The beak cavity is shallow. The nacre is silvery or bluish white and iridescent at the posterior end.

In Michigan, this species can be confused with the creeper, paper pondshell or giant floater. In general, A. ferussacianus is more cylindrical than the other species, and has a “pinch” in the middle of the ventral margin. The paper pondshell has distinctly flat umbos. The creeper in general is larger, has a slightly more blunt posterior end, and is slightly more compressed.

Range length: 7.6 (high) cm.

Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike

Anodontoides ferussacianus is mainly found in creeks and small rivers. It is generally a headwater species, found in substrates of mud or sand.

Habitat Regions: freshwater

Aquatic Biomes: rivers and streams

Habitat Type: Freshwater

Comments: The preferred habitat of the cylindrical papershell is shallow water near shore in silt. It is thought to inhabit small streams, creeks, and lakes in sand or fine gravel (Parmalee and Bogan, 1998; Sietman, 2003; Strayer and Jirka, 1997), but also is tolerant of impoundment.

Non-Migrant: No. All populations of this species make significant seasonal migrations.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

In general, unionids are filter feeders. The mussels use cilia to pump water into the   incurrent siphon where food is caught in a mucus lining in the demibranchs. Particles are sorted by the   labial palps and then directed to the mouth. Mussels have been cultured on algae, but they may also ingest bacteria, protozoans and other organic particles.

The parasitic glochidial stage absorbs blood and nutrients from hosts after attachment. Mantle cells within the glochidia feed off of the host’s tissue through phagocytocis.

Plant Foods: algae; phytoplankton

Other Foods: detritus ; microbes

Foraging Behavior: filter-feeding

Primary Diet: planktivore ; detritivore

Fish hosts are determined by looking at both lab metamorphosis and natural infestations. Looking at both is necessary, as lab transformations from glochidia to juvenile may occur, but the mussel may not actually infect a particular species in a natural situation. Natural infestations may also be found, but glochidia will attach to almost any fish, including those that are not suitable hosts. Lab transformations involve isolating one particular fish species and introducing glochidia either into the fish tank or directly inoculating the fish gills with glochidia. Tanks are monitored and if juveniles are later found the fish species is considered a suitable host.

Lab transformations have been observed in the bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass, spotfin shiner and the Tippecanoe darter.

Ecosystem Impact: parasite

Species Used as Host:

• bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus 
• black crappie, Pomoxis nigromaculatus 
• largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides 
• spotfin shiner, Cyprinella spiloptera 
• Tippecanoe darter, Etheostoma tippecanoe 

Unionids in general are preyed upon by muskrats, raccoons, minks, otters, and some birds. Juveniles are probably also fed upon by freshwater drum, sheepshead, lake sturgeon, spotted suckers, redhorses, and pumpkinseeds.

Unionid mortality and reproduction is affected by unionicolid mites and monogenic trematodes feeding on gill and mantle tissue. Parasitic chironomid larvae may destroy up to half the mussel gill.

Known Predators:

• muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus 
• mink, Neovison vison 
• raccoon Procyon lotor 
• otter, Lontra canadensis 
• turtles, Testudines 
• hellbenders, Cryptobranchus 
• freshwater drum, Aplodinotus grunniens 
• sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus 
• lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens 
• shortnosed sturgeon, Acipenser brevirostrum 
• spotted suckers, Minytrema melanops 
• common red-horse, Moxostoma 
• catfish, Siluriformes 
• pumpkinseed, Lepomis gibbosus 

>1,000,000 individuals

Comments: Smith and Crabtree (2010) found this species at 5 of 32 sites (0 with recruitment) along the entire length of Pennsylvania's French Creek.

Note: For many non-migratory species, occurrences are roughly equivalent to populations.

Estimated Number of Occurrences: > 300

Comments: This species is common to abundant throughout Minnesota in most drainages and counties (Sietman, 2003); including Red, Lake of the Woods, Lake Superior (Graf, 1997; Cvancara, 1970). In Illinois, it is generally distributed and common in small streams in the northeastern part of the state and can be locally abundant (Cummings and Mayer, 1997; Schanzle and Cummings, 1991); recently several upper Illinois basins (Sietman et al., 2001; Schanzle et al., 2004; Tiemann et al., 2005). Indiana distribution: Wabash tributaries (Fisher, 2006), Tippecanoe (Cummings and Berlocher, 1990), E Fork White (Harmon, 1992), Muscatatuck (Harmon, 1989). In Ohio, it is common and widespread the Ohio River and Lake Erie drainages in headwater streams (Watters, 1992; 1995; Watters et al., 2009); Black River (Lyons et al., 2007), Raccoon (Hoggarth et al., 2007), Swan Creek (Lower Maumee) (Grabarciewicz, 2008). It occurs in the Mud River (Guyandotte drainage) in West Virginia (Schmidt and Zeto, 1986). In South Dakota, it is known from Minnesota River tributaries, upper and middle Big Sioux River tributaries, and Vermillion tributaries (Backlund, 2000); and James (Perkins and Backlund, 2003; Skadsen and Perkins, 2000). In Vermont, its northeasternmost range limit, it is known to live only in the Missisquoi, Lamoille, and Poultney River drainages and in Stone Bridge Brook (Milton) (Fichtel and Smith, 1995; Kart et al., 2005). In Wisconsin, it is very widespread and abundant especially in the northern and eastern parts of the state (Mathiak, 1979). In Kentucky, it occurs from the Licking River to the lower Cumberland River (Cicerello and Schuster, 2003). In Tennessee, species is uncommon and scattered (edge of range) and occurs in the Cumberland River drainage and perhaps one or two other drainages in extreme northern Tennessee (Parmalee and Bogan, 1998). In Wyoming, it occurs in the North and South Platte drainages (Platte, Goshen, Laramie Cos.) (Cvancara, 2005). In Colorado, this species reaches the edge of its western range and has declined to just a couple sites in the South Platte River drainage (Cordeiro, 1999; Wu, 1989). Branson (1983) cited Oklahoma distribution as unknown. In Kansas, this species was known from the Smoky Hill River basin, including the the Saline and Solomon Rivers and is also known to have occurred in the South Fork Nemaha River basin (Missouri River drainage) and, although rare, still appears to persist in the Smoky Hill and Saline Rivers in scattered areas (Couch, 1997); also the Wakarusa basin (Tiemann, 2006). In the Little Blue River basin it is known from weathered dead shells in the Kansas portion (Hoke, 2004). A thorough review of literature, museum specimens, and recent survey work in the Big Blue River system of southeastern Nebraska and northeastern Kansas revealed this species was represented by sub-fossil material only (mostly in Kansas) and may potentially be extirpated from the basin (Hoke, 2005). It is in parts of the Platte River, Nebraska (Freeman and Perkins, 1992). It occurs in the Lake Michigan (Badra and Goforth, 2003) and St. Clair drainage, Michigan (Strayer, 1980; Trdan and Hoeh, 1993) and upper peninsula (Goodrich and Van der Schalie, 1939). Beetle (1989) lists Wyoming occurrences in the North Platte River and its tributaries in Goshen, Laramie, and Platte Cos. In Canada, this species has several secure populations in Manitoba (incl. Souris and Assiniboine (Watson, 2000) Rivers) and Ontario (Metcalfe-Smith et al., 2003) and likely Saskatchewan (Whitehead Lake on Manitoba border), fewer populations in Quebec, and occurs in Alberta (La Biche) but status unknown (Metcalfe-Smith and Cudmore-Vokey, 2004). Clarke (1981) does not include Alberta but lists Canada range as James Bay and Hudson Bay drainage from central Ontario to SE Saskatchewan; Great Lakes-St. Lawrence system downstream to near Montreal; and Mississippi River system.

The middle lobe of the mantle edge has most of a bivalve's sensory organs. Paired   statocysts, which are fluid filled chambers with a solid granule or pellet (a statolity) are in the mussel's foot. The statocysts help the mussel with georeception, or orientation.

Mussels are heterothermic, and therefore are sensitive and responsive to temperature.

Unionids in general may have some form of chemical reception to recognize fish hosts. How the cylindrical papershell attracts or if it recognizes its fish host is unknown.

Glochidia respond to both touch, light and some chemical cues. In general, when touched or a fluid is introduced, they will respond by clamping shut.

Communication Channels: chemical

Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; vibrations ; chemical

Fertilized eggs are brooded in the marsupia (water tubes) up to 11 months, where they develop into larvae, called glochidia. The glochidia are then released into the water where they must attach to the gill filaments and/or general body surface of the host fish. After attachment, epithelial tissue from the host fish grows over and encapsulates a glochidium, usually within a few hours. The glochidia then metamorphoses into a juvenile mussel within a few days or weeks. After metamorphosis, the juvenile is sloughed off as a free-living organism. Juveniles are found in the substrate where they develop into adults.

Development - Life Cycle: metamorphosis

The age of mussels can be determined by looking at annual rings on the shell. However, no demographic data on this species has been recorded.

Age to sexual maturity for this species is unknown. Unionids are gonochoristic (sexes are separate) and viviparous. The glochidia, which are the larval stage of the mussels, are released live from the female after they are fully developed.

In general, gametogenesis in unionids is initiated by increasing water temperatures. The general   life cycle of a unionid, includes open fertilization. Males release sperm into the water, which is taken in by the females through their respiratory current. The eggs are internally fertilized in the suprabranchial chambers, then pass into water tubes of the gills, where they develop into glochidia.

In the Huron River, A. ferussacianus was gravid from early August to late May of the following year. It likely spawns in June and July.

Breeding interval: The cylindrical papershell breeds once in the warmer months of the year.

Breeding season: In Michigan, the breeding season is probably June to July.

Average gestation period: 10 months.

Key Reproductive Features: seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (Internal ); viviparous

Females brood fertilized eggs in their marsupial pouch. The fertilized eggs develop into glochidia. There is no parental investment after the female releases the glochidia.

Parental Investment: pre-fertilization (Provisioning); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female)

Known glochidial hosts are Cottus bairdi (mottled sculpin) and the Petromyzon marinus (sea lamprey) (Clarke and Berg, 1959), as well as Culaea inconstans (brook stickleback), Catastomus commersoni (white sucker), Etheostoma exile (Iowa darter), Luxilus cornutus (common shiner), Notropis heterolepis (blacknose shiner), Pimephales notatus (bluntnose minnow), Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow) (Fuller, 1978). Wilson and Ronald (1967) include Petromyzon marinus (sea lamprey) as a host. Hove et al. (1995; 1997) documented Cyprinella spiloptera (spotfin shiner), Pomoxis nigromaculatus (black crappie) as hosts. Watters (1995) documented Lepomis macrochirus (bluegill), Micropteris salmoides (largemouth bass). O'Dee and Watters (2000) included Etheostoma tippecanoe (Tippecanoe darter), Micropteris salmoides (largemouth bass) as hosts.

The cylindrical papershell is listed as endangered in Vermont and threatened in Iowa.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Reasons: This species is wide-ranging in North America and is considered stable throughout much of its range, with few exceptions.

Intrinsic Vulnerability: Not intrinsically vulnerable

Environmental Specificity: Broad. Generalist or community with all key requirements common.

Global Short Term Trend: Relatively stable (=10% change)

Comments: In Colorado, this species reaches the edge of its western range and has declined to just two or three sites in the South Platte River drainage (Cordeiro, 1999; Wu, 1989; Clarke et al., 2003) from over two dozen sites across the eastern part of the state historically. Pip (2000; 2006) was unable to find this species in surveys of 90 sites in Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, despite previous documentation of the species there.

Global Long Term Trend: Increase of 10-25% to decline of 30%

Comments: Vermont has one historic report from the Clyde River (Kart et al., 2005).

Global Protection: Unknown whether any occurrences are appropriately protected and managed

Comments: This species occurs in Muddy Creek (French Creek drainage) in the Erie NWR in Crawford Co., Pennsylvania (Mohler et al., 2006). Specimens from the Black River (St. Clair drainage), Michigan, were relocated to the Detroit River in 1992 (Trdan and Hoeh, 1993).

There are no significant negative impacts of mussels on humans.

Mussels are ecological indicators. Their presence in a water body usually indicates good water quality.