OBSERVATIONS ON THE CONGLUTINATES OF PTYCHOBRANCHUS-GREENI (CONRAD, 1834) (MOLLUSCA, BIVALVIA, UNIONOIDEA)

The conglutinates of Ptychobranchus greeni, a freshwater mussel, mimic aquatic dipteran larvae in shape, size, and coloration. They possess a terminal adhesive filament that may function as a holdfast to attach the conglutinate to rock or gravel substrata and maintain them in the riffle and shoal habitats of potential fish hosts. The decline and su bsequent disappearance of P. greeni from much of its historic range ma y be partially explained by sedimentation and eutrophication within th ese habitats that limit the ability of the conglutinates to attach to the substratum.