Potamilus fragilis, previously Leptodea fragilis, the fragile papershell, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. P. fragilis is one of the fastest-growing unionid species and the most abundant unionid species in Lake Erie.[3] Its light-shelled morphology suggests an adaptation to deep water within lakes.[3]
| Potamilus fragilis | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Bivalvia |
| Order: | Unionida |
| Family: | Unionidae |
| Genus: | Potamilus |
| Species: | P. fragilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Potamilus fragilis (Rafinesque, 1820) | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
This species is found in the United States and Canada. Its natural habitats include streams, rivers, and freshwater embayments.[1]
