Pink freshwater mussel *Anodonta anatina*

This shell, with its pearly and rosy reflections, belongs to Anodonta anatina, a species of freshwater bivalve widely distributed in the Palearctic region (Europe, temperate Asia). Living buried in the sediments of calm rivers and lakes, it plays a discreet but essential ecological role by filtering large quantities of water. Its mantle secretes a thin layer of nacre, the iridescent hue of which varies according to the mineral composition and environmental conditions. These delicate nuances, oscillating between powdery pink and pearly violet, make it a surprisingly poetic natural piece. Concentric lines and radial growth bear witness to its age and the history of its habitat, in the manner of a tree's rings.