Quadrula fragosa is only located in a few parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Arkansas, and Missouri — in the Midwestern United States.

[5] Winged mapleleaf mussels in the Ouachita and Saline Rivers may have a viable population.

The young winged mapleleafs attach themselves to the gills of a host fish for feeding and growing purposes until they reach the stage in their life cycle that they can themselves siphon in the water from the river of the stream that they are in.

[5] The larva continue growing on the host fish until they reach their next life cycle stage, and once this stage is reached they are released from the gills of the host fish and find their way to the bottom of the river or stream.

The results, however they were very limited, still only showed the Channel and the Blue catfish to be successful host fish for the winged mapleleaf.

The oldest known organism in this species is in the St. Croix River and is estimated to be 22 years old,[citation needed] although, the life span of the mussel is actually unknown.

Fish and Wildlife Service trying to control) is one of the biggest threats to the survival of the winged mapleleaf.

Sediment accumulation and loss of water quality are also major threats to the population of the mussel.

The winged mapleleaf was added to the list of endangered and threatened plants and animals effective July 22, 1991.

This experimental population was released in parts of the Tennessee River in Colbert and Lauderdale counties.

Many of the upstream dam operations have also begun to be more closely monitored in order to ensure that there is an adequate flow of water in the St. Croix River for the winged mapleleaf to survive and reproduce.

Fish and Wildlife Service, [2001] Online Access Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (Geological Survey).

of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, [2005] Online Access