[2] Mulinia lateralis is found on the eastern coasts of North America from the north-eastern United States (New Jersey) southwards to Mexico.

Like other bivalve molluscs, the animal raises its siphons to the surface of the sediment, draws water in though one and expels it through the other, having filtered out nutrient particles in the gills.

The veliger larvae disperse as part of the zooplankton and take from 1 to 3 weeks to develop into the pediveliger stage, whereupon they settle and undergo metamorphosis.

[3] The gray sea star (Luidia clathrata) selectively feeds on it[6] and the knobbed whelk (Busycon carica) is also a major predator.

Mulinia lateralis has been found in the European wadden sea, and has the potential to become an invasive alien species due to its high fecundity, short generation cycle of just 60 days, and broad ecological amplitudes.