The wavy-rayed lampmussel is a relatively small mussel distributed throughout Southern Ontario and the North-Eastern sections of the United States.

[3] Wavy-rayed lampmussels are historically distributed throughout Southern Ontario as well as 13 U.S. States including the Ohio watershed.

In Ontario the mussel has been confirmed in at least four watersheds: the Ausable, Grand, Maitland and Thames river.

At this stage the larvae consume nutrients from the fish body until they develop into juvenile mussels, and drop off.

This includes chemical contaminants entering its habitat such as copper, ammonia and chloride, particularly during their glochidial and juvenile life phases.

By affixing themselves to hard surfaces the zebra mussels are in direct competition with wavy-rayed lampmussels, and impair their ability to feed, reproduce and move.