Instead of a mantle lure, the Tar River Spinymussel (Elliptio steinstansana) produces unique conglutinates used to entice its host (various minnow species) to try to eat the conglutinate.
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Conglutinates are approximately 5-7 mm long.
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Glochidia are arranged in a single layer around the outside with a clear protein forming the structure of the packet. What appears like two rows in this picture are actually the developing two valves on individual glochidia.
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Here, you see a single layer of developed glochidia.
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Glochidia are almost spherical in shape and are encased in individual pods of the conglutinate.
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