PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status Animal Group

Elephant Ear (Elliptio crassidens)

Elephant_ear_mussel_INHS.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

7881.jpg

Photo by Illinois Natural History Survey

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Elephant Ear (Elliptio crassidens), listed as Endangered in Wisconsin, is found in large rivers in the western part of the state. The only known host is the skipjack herring, which only very rarely occurs in the Upper Mississippi River and its tributaries.

 
 
 

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.