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Answer: Flutedshell mussel, Lasmigona costata
This beautifully colored shell belongs to a local fresh-water mussel species, Lasmigona costata, or Flutedshell. Scientists can use its coloration to infer the age of the individual. Sand mussels live in medium to large rivers and although they are found all over the Midwest, these mollusks are uncommon. The specimen you see here was collected in Illinois in 1897; such specimens help us document where species have historically lived in the event that pollution or other environmental factors affect their habitats.
Do you ever wonder how a butterfly gets its colors? Or how turtles hibernate? Do you wonder how birds know where to migrate each year? For over 160 years, the Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum has served a unique role in the city of Chicago connecting children of all ages to nature and science through immersive exhibits, fun family events, important conservation research and in-depth education programs, inspiring the wonder in all of us.
I’m going to try this. This was very interesting. Do you have this in Google slides format?
Thanks for that feedback! We don’t have it in that format currently, but we can work on creating a slides format that we can provide for educators to use.
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