The cracking pearlymussel (Hemistena lata) is an endangered species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae.

[5] This species spends its adult life buried under the sand or mud at the bottom of medium-sized, flowing rivers.

Once the larva matures into juveniles with shells, they leave their host fish and drop into the sediment, where they bury themselves.

They prefer relatively shallow (usually less than 2 ft deep) water with a moderate current.

[8] As of the most recent 5 year review, the cracking pearlymussel is still critically endangered and has not met the recovery goals.