About Truncilla truncata Rafinesque, 1820
Truncilla truncata, commonly called the deertoe, is a species of freshwater mussel. It is an aquatic bivalve mollusk that belongs to the family Unionidae. Deertoe mussels are distributed in the Mississippi River drainage system, as well as in tributaries of Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. This species is classified as a state endangered species in Virginia, and the state of Kansas has designated it as a "species in need of conservation". Deertoe mussels have generalist habitat preferences, and can be found in both lakes and rivers. Researchers believe T. truncata is bradytictic, with an average gestation period of approximately 10 months. Known host species for the mussel's glochidia larvae include the freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) and sauger (Sander canadensis).
