Shell is thick and rectangular in shape and can be compressed or inflated; umbos do not extend above the hinge line (Cicerello, R. and Schuster, G. 2003).

Megalonaias nervosa mussels are sexually mature around 8 years of age, they are late tachytictic breeders.

Megalonaias nervosa can be found in small or larger rivers and in a variety of substrate including mud, sand, or gravel.

Although Megalonaias nervosa is of least conservation concern, mussels have suffered from habitat loss caused by pollution, invasive species and impoundment of water.

Megalonaias nervosa reproduction rate has decreased in some areas due to low water temperature (Heinricher, J. and Layzer, J.