Rayed Bean

Villosa fabalis

The rayed bean is a very small freshwater mussel that feeds on detritus, bacteria, and algae. In Canada its distribution is restricted to the Sydenham River in Ontario. It prefers the headwaters and smaller tributaries of river systems, where it buries itself deep in the sand or gravel. Siltation, caused by poor agricultural and forestry practices, can be more problematic for the rayed bean than for other mussels because it buries relatively deep. The siltation interferes with their feeding, and exposes them to pollutants.