It is an aquatic bivalve mollusk, in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.

This species is native to the United States, where it is widespread in the drainages of the Ohio River and the Great Lakes.

It is unclear whether they represent distinct evolutionary lineages, or are merely ecophenotypic variation which would not warrant any taxonomic status.

A 2007 genetic study has cast doubt upon the validity of the existence of two subspecies.

[4][5] Quadrula cylindrica strigillata has been listed as an ESA endangered species since 1997.