Graf and Cummings (2007) lists this species as Theliderma cylindrica, however Williams et al. (2008) continue to use the genus Quadrula for this species.

Two subspecies are currently recognised. Quadrula cylindrica strigillata is listed by US Fish and Wildlife Service as endangered.

A list of synonyms for this species can be found on The MUSSEL project web site (Graf and Cummings 2011).

Quadrula cylindrica has been assessed as Near Threatened as this species has a wide distribution occurring within 15 states in the Mississippi River basin, however, it has so far experienced a habitat decline of almost 30%, and populations are known to be declining. The species is likely to be extremely long-lived, so that the declines observed, which mainly occurred throughout the 20th century, fall well within three generation lengths of this species. This species almost meets the criteria for Vulnerable under criterion A2ace and continued monitoring of populations is recommended.

The 1996 assessment of Near Threatened referred to the subspecies Quadrula cylindrica cylindrica based on known declines (A. Bogan and M. Seddon pers. comm. 2012).

This species is widespread across several states including Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia, although it is presumed to be extinct in Georgia and West Virginia (NatureServe 2009). This species was historically known from 137 streams in 15 states but is now considered to be extant in 46 streams in 13 states (Butler 2005).

This species is declining across its range and is now present in only 46 of 137 streams (Butler 2005). However, of the streams where it is extant, there are ten streams where the population is considered sizable with evidence of recent recruitment and are currently considered long-term viable populations (Butler 2005). These are the Ohio River, French Creek, Green River, Tippecanoe River, Tennessee River, Duck River, White River, Black River, Strawberry River, and Little River (Butler 2005). There are 20 streams that do not seem so viable, with minimal recent recruitment, a restricted distribution and could possibly be extirpated (Butler 2005). An additional 16 marginal sites have populations of low viability, considered 'rare', with no evidence of recent recruitment, and could be extirpated in the immediate future (Butler 2005).

This species prefers moderately flowing, clear, shallow waters of small to large rivers, creeks and streams (Parmalee and Bogan 1998, Mirarchi et al. 2004, Butler 2005, NatureServe 2009). It is a fairly large mussel, reaching six inches in length (Parmalee and Bogan 1998, NatureServe 2009). They are found where there is a substrate of mixed sand and gravel, free of algae and fine sediments and an abundance of host fish for the larval stage (Roe 2002, NatureServe 2009).
This species is usually found along the river bank, in runs or shoals, where water velocity is reduced (Parmalee and Bogan 1998). However, it has also been observed in deeper water of around 6-12 feet (Mirarchi et al. 2004, Butler 2005). It rarely burrows and therefore may require stable habitat to prevent displacement into unsuitable areas (Parmalee and Bogan 1998). The Whitetail Shiner Cyprinella galactura, Spotfin Shiner Cyprinella spiloptera and Bigeye Chub Hybopsis amblops are glochidial host fish for this species (Parmalee and Bogan 1998).

This species occurs in large creeks to large rivers. It is often found along margins of shoals in gravel substrate in slow to moderate current. In Pickwick Dam tailwaters on the Tennessee River it is most often encountered in muddy sand substrates on the submerged shelf along the river margin, in water approximately 2 m deep.
The species is a short-term brooder, gravid in spring and summer. Gravid females have been reported from late May to early July, with mature glochidia observed over the entire period, suggesting that the brooding period begins somewhat earlier (Ortmann 1919). The reproductive biology of Quadrula cylindrica strigillata in headwaters of the Tennessee River was described by Yeager and Neves (1986). The sex ratio was roughly equal. Spermatogenesis occurs from August to July and oogenesis from late July to May. Spawning takes place in May and June. Quadrula c. strigillata is gravid from May to July. Its conglutinates are lanceolate and whitish to reddish brown but disintegrated upon discharge. Ortmann (1919) reported conglutinates of nominal Q. cylindrica from Pennsylvania to be lanceolate and yellowish brown or pale orange. Fertilization rates for Q. c. strigillata are high, with only 5 percent of conglutinate contents consisting of unfertilized eggs in May and June. Fecundity was reported to be 114,246 glochidia per female annually (Yeager and Neves 1986).

Studies have established a wide range of longevity for this species. Yeager and Nevers (1986) subjectively aged the species at 22 years by counting external growth rings, while another study (Henley et al. no date, in USFWS 2009) aged a specimen at 63 years by thin sectioning shells. However, growth ring counts specifically may underestimate age by a factor of between three and ten (Anthony et al. 2001). Thus, the longevity of this species may be in excess of 100 years. Age at sexual maturity was 4 to 6 years for populations in the upper Arkansas, White, and Red River Systems (Fobian 2007). As such, the historical declines observed, which mainly occurred throughout the 20th century, fall well within three generation lengths of this species.

Fishes identified as glochidial hosts of Quadrula cylindrica strigillata in laboratory trials include Cyprinella galactura (Whitetail Shiner), Cyprinella spiloptera (Spotfin Shiner) and Hybopsis amblops (Bigeye Chub) (Cyprinidae) (Yeager and Neves 1986) (Williams et al. 2008).

The major threats to this species are habitat loss or degradation resulting from impoundments, channelization, chemical contaminants, mining and sedimentation, with impoundments cited as the most destructive of all (Butler 2005).
The Green River has been considered for several small reservoirs to supply the needs of the large agricultural demand on fresh water, plus potential oil and gas developments and chemical pollutants (Butler 2005). The White River population is at high risk from channelization for navigational purposes, gravel mining and the introduction of invasive species (Butler 2005). The Ohio River population is suffering from changes in water flow due to dams, plus chemical spills, sedimentation and channel maintenance processes; although the Nature Conservancy is looking to build a conservation action plan, this is only for the northern section of the river basin (Butler 2005). The Tennessee River has already been severly impacted by impoundments, but channelization, bank erosion and gravel mining pose threats to this species (Butler 2005). Mining in particular has been a threat over the past 100 years, until 1990; dam modification has been ongoing until around 2000, while the threat from the invasive Zebra Mussel is relatively recent, having occurred over the past fifteen years (J. Cordeiro pers. comm. 2012). Increasing impervious surfaces associated with urban development in northwest Arkansas and clearing of native riparian habitat for conversion to pasture land has led to rapid channel destabilization during the past couple of years (J. Cordeiro pers. comm. 2012).

This species is not utilized.

This species has been given a NatureServe Global Heritage Status Rank of G3-G4 - Vulnerable to Apparently Stable (NatureServe 2009).

The French Creek site is protected by the Nature Conservancy, who implement conservation actions that include mapping mussel populations, monitoring and removing Zebra Mussels, evaluating agricultural practices that affect water quality, identifying areas of high risk for hazardous spills and runoff, determining best approaches for the reintroduction and relocation of rare mussels, working with interested landowners to preserve sensitive riparian forests through conservation easements and other land protection methods (The Nature Conservancy 2009).

Duck River and Strawberry River have associated reserves that are addressing some of the negative threats posed to this species (The Nature Conservancy 2009). At Strawberry River, the Nature Conservancy has established a demonstration cattle ranch to showcase specialized grazing techniques that are both ecologically compatible and economically feasible. By offering training workshops, technical assistance and cost-sharing programs, the Conservancy is encouraging local ranchers to switch to these river-friendly practices and to restore degraded riverbanks on their properties (The Nature Conservancy 2009). The Tippecanoe River has a Nature Conservancy Action Plan associated with it, improving the water quality with special references to unionids (Indiana Department of Environmental Management Office of Water Management 2001). The Green River benefits from the Mammoth Cave National Park which protects large sections of this river (Butler 2005).

Williams et al. (in press) lists this species as threatened according to the American Fisheries Society assessment. Future surveying of population trends is recommended in order to monitor the species.