[Caitlin]

Science Daily — North America’s diverse community of freshwater mussels has been on the decline for decades and is presently considered one of the continent’s most endangered groups of animals. The reasons for this continued decline are examined in a special section of the latest issue of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.

Mussels are a critical component of the food chain because they are a food source for aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates, and they provide nutrient and energy cycling in streams and lakes by filtering algae, bacteria, and organic matter from the water column.
While 35 species of mussels are already extinct, 70 are listed as threatened or endangered, and nearly 180 species are critically imperiled or vulnerable. Species declines are likely due to a number of problems, including construction of dams, sedimentation, population, channelization, dredging, and introduction of exotic species.
The most important factors that can be controlled by man are water pollution and changes in physical habitat. For example, mussels were found to be highly sensitive to copper, ammonia, and several pesticides. In fact, available data suggest that current water quality standards for copper may not protect mussels in Oklahoma and possibly other states. Finally, ammonia has been identified as an issue in North Carolina.
Until recently, no standardized methods were available to help direct research, leading to lack of repeatability, and data variability which led to difficulties in comparing data among laboratories. This adversely affected scientists’ abilities to understand the relative sensitivity of mussels to chemicals.
The studies in this report discuss the validation of a new standard toxicity test in mussels and will likely result in increased testing of these organism and inclusion of these species in water quality decision-making.
Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Allen Press.

[pernula]

That is sad. I hope there is more funding (urgently needed) to find out why and corrective actions being taken correspondingly.

Thanks for bringing the news to us. I am interested to learn more.

Pernula

[Caitlin]

Hi Pernula
These mussels are all capable of developing pearls. And of course there is an industry of harvesting mussels to make the nucleus for cultured pearls in the far east. This industry is mostly in Tennessee at the moment.

All American mussels have incredible colors of nacre in the shells and if ever there is a NATURAL RED pearl, it will come from an American mussel. My favorite and the one I want to stock in my backyard pond has a bright purple mother of pearl shell

In additon to this report, I like to put up regional efforts to support and strudy American mussels-unios- They are all in the Pearl Resources section.

Also I found an unio list maintained by academics accross the country who use it to impart unio news and experiences. I think a lot more could be done with the list, but I subscribe to it and read it. Here is the link. Maybe it will heat up now that school is back in session.....

Truly, in one way I just wait for Americans to wake up to the treasure that is the unio in their local streams and rivers. And ALL American pearl lovers should care enough to encourage the industry in our back yards. Right now only the Peches and the LaTendresses seem to be growing native mussels, both in Tennessee. The latter operation actually grows nucleated mussel pearls- or did.....

There was some action a few years ago at Texas A&M but that seems to have died. Then there was a guy in St Marys CA than was culturing unios. Sadly, both seem to have lost steam...

Here is a picture of inside potamilus purpuratus

[pernula]

Originally Posted by Caitlin Williams

Right now only the Peches and the LaTendresses seem to be growing native mussels, both in Tennessee. The latter operation actually grows nucleated mussel pearls- or did.....

Here is a picture of inside potamilus purpuratus

Great picture! So is growing nucleated mussel pearls in Tennessee still in operation?

Thanks,
Pernula