About Potamilus fragilis (Rafinesque, 1820)
Potamilus fragilis, previously classified as Leptodea fragilis and commonly called the fragile papershell, is a species of freshwater mussel. It is an aquatic bivalve mollusk that belongs to Unionidae, the family of river mussels. This species is one of the fastest-growing unionid species, and it is the most abundant unionid species in Lake Erie. Its light-shelled body structure indicates it is adapted to live in deep lake water. Potamilus fragilis is found in the United States and Canada, and its natural habitats include streams, rivers, and freshwater embayments. The freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) is a common host for this species' glochidia.
