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Holland-Bartels, L. E. and T. W. Kammer (1989). Seasonal reproductive development of Lampsilis cardium, Amblema plicata plicata, and Potamilus alatus (Pelecypoda: Unionidae) in the Upper Mississippi River. Journal of Freshwater Ecology. 5:87-92.

Adult specimens of three species of freshwater mussels common to the Upper Mississippi River were examined histologically to determine seasonal patterns of development in gametogenesis and release of glochidia. Full maturation of gonadal materials in Lampsilis cardium (formerly L. ovata ventricosa), a long-term breeder, occurred when ambient river temperatures reached 24 to 26 °C, between late-July and early-August. By mid-August, glochidia were present in the marsupia. Glochidia were released from late-May through mid-June of the following year once water temperatures reached 20 °C. The long-term breeder Potamilus alatus demonstrated full gonadal maturation earlier than seen in L. cardium with reproduction completed by late-July (26 °C). Glochidia of P. alatus were released over a period similar to that observed for L. cardium, late-May through early-July of the following year. Fully mature Amblema plicata plicata, a short-term breeder, were collected from late-May through early-July (18 to 21 °C).