Depressed River Mussel Pseudanodonta complanata

The Depressed River Mussel (Pseudanodonta complanata) is a scarce freshwater bivalve of clean, slow to moderately flowing rivers with sandy or fine gravelly substrates, where it lies partially buried in the riverbed. It has declined significantly across Britain through water quality deterioration, siltation, and river engineering. In Suffolk it is associated with the county’s cleaner river systems, and records from the Waveney and other river catchments reflect its continued presence where water quality and substrate conditions remain appropriate. Like all freshwater mussels, its larvae are parasitic on fish, making healthy fish populations – and river connectivity – essential to its reproduction and dispersal. Image:  ©Tom Meijer, iNaturalist.

Find out more: iNaturalist, Freshwater Habitats Trust