This species is endemic to western Virginia and eastern Tennessee in the Appalachia region, in the Southeastern United States.

[citation needed] Being a detritivore, the mussel absorbs the pollutants which contaminate the river as it feeds.

[4] Like other unionid mussels, Theliderma sparsa uses fish as an intermediate host for its glonchidia larvae.

Captive breeding experiments have demonstrated that the mussel larvae can develop on the gills of blotched chub (Erimystax insignis) and streamline chub (Erimystax dissimilis).

[5] Water temperature and vibration prompt release of glonchidia, according to Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Southwest Virginia Mussel Recovery Coordinator Tim Lane.