Unios (freshwater mussels) of the world

[Caitlin]

FRESHWATER MUSSEL (UNIONOIDA) GENERA OF THE WORLD


Kevin S. Cummings

Illinois Natural History Survey
Center For Biodiversity
Mollusks
The objective of this page is to illustrate (with photographs) all of the "genera" of freshwater mussels (Unionoida) in the world. The genera included are largely those recognized by Haas (1969) with the exception of the North American fauna, which follow Turgeon, et al. (1998). Other deviations from Haas (1969) will be referenced to the new source of information. If anyone spots any errors or misspellings of type localities, type designations, rivers or other geographic names, please let me know and I will make appropriate changes. I plan on adding information on type species for each genus and a list of currently recognized species/taxa in the near future. An example of the kind of added information can be seen in the account for the genus Castalina. If anyone has any comments on how and what type of data to include in these species list sections, please let me know. I am still playing around with the format. Also understand that these pages (like many on the web) are "works in progress" and the data contained in them should be checked to the primary literature to ensure accuracy. Museum Acronyms used in photo captions follow: Systematic Research Collections - Mollusca.

Literature Cited

[Caitlin]

http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/~ksc/MusselGenera.html

The reference for above article. Please go there as it has many, many pictures

[Caitlin]

Freshwater Mussels of the Upper Mississippi River System

Nearly 300 species of mussels inhabit freshwater rivers and lakes in North America. This is the richest diversity of mussels found in the world. Freshwater mussels are sedentary, long-lived (some live over 100 years) mollusks that live in sediments and filter water to feed. Because they are filter-feeders, mussels are excellent indicators of the health of aquatic ecosystems. In addition, mussels are a vital link in the food chain because they are a major food item for wildlife such as raccoon, muskrat, and otter. Their lustrous pearl-like interiors have made them valuable in the cultured pearl and jewelry industry.

[Caitlin]

Field guide to Freshwater Mussels of the Midwest
Cummings, K.S., and C.A. Mayer. 1992. Field guide to freshwater mussels of the Midwest. Illinois Natural History Survey Manual 5. 194 pp.

Foreword | Index | Table of Contents

The Illinois Natural History Survey has published a first-of-its-kind field guide to freshwater mussels of the Midwest. Written by Survey investigators Kevin S. Cummings and Christine A. Mayer, this 208-page, hardcover book will help amateurs and professionals alike in identifying species, many of which look remarkably similar. A color photograph of the shell of each species helps ensure quick identification.

The front section of the book includes information on the biology, economic importance, and conservation of freshwater mussels, which are one of the most endangered groups of animals in North America. Surveys conducted over the past few decades have documented significant declines in mussel populations because of overharvesting, competition from exotic species such as the zebra mussel, water pollution, and other factors.

The bulk of the book consists of species accounts for each of about 75 native mussels. The text portion of each account includes a description of key characteristics of the mussel and the habitat in which it is normally found; each account also contains, in addition to a color photograph, a range map showing the geographic distribution of the species.
Field Guide to Freshwater Mussels of the Midwest is being sold by the Natural History Survey to the public for $15 (plus 25% shipping and handling for domestic orders--international orders should phone for pricing). To obtain copies, please write to Distribution Center, Illinois Natural History Survey, 607 East Peabody Drive, Champaign, Illinois 61820. Make checks payable to Illinois Natural History Survey. For more information, please call the Publications Office at (217) 333-6880.

Additional information about purchasing Survey publications, including the field guide to freshwater mussels of the Midwest, can be found on the INHS Publications webpage.

[Caitlin]

http://ellipse.inhs.uiuc.edu/FMCS/

The Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society (FMCS) is devoted to the advocacy for, public education about, and conservation science of freshwater mollusks, North America's most imperiled fauna.

[Caitlin]

Links to Other Mussel Sites
Scientists Working with Unionids
http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/cbd/collections/mollusk_links/uniopeoplelist.html
Collections

Illinois Natural History Survey Mollusk Collection
http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/cbd/collections/mollusk.html

Ohio State University Freshwater Bivalve Collection
http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~molluscs/OSUM2/
Bibliographies, newsletters

Freshwater Mollusk Bibliography Database
http://ellipse.inhs.uiuc.edu/mollusk/

Triannual Unionid Reports
http://ellipse.inhs.uiuc.edu/FMCS/TUR/default.html
Photos

Unio Gallery at Southwest Missouri State University
http://unionid.missouristate.edu/
Regional information

Freshwater Mussels of the Midwest
http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/cbd/musselmanual/cover.html

Freshwater Mussels in the Ohio River Basin
http://mcnet.marietta.edu/~biol/mussels/1stpg.html
Tennesee Freshwater Mussels: Treasures Past and Present
http://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu/permex/mussels/mussels.htm
Freshwater Mussels in the Lake Erie-Lake Huron Corridor
http://biology.usgs.gov/s+t/frame/f078.htm
Conservation of Southeastern Mussels
http://cars.er.usgs.gov/Southeastern_Aquatic_Fauna/Freshwater_Mussels/freshwater_mussels.html

Landscape Analysis of Freshwater Mussels in the Upper Mississippi River
http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/aquatic/native_mussels/5004455.html

Native Freshwater Mussels of the Upper Mississippi River System
http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/reports_publications/psrs/psr_2000_04.html
Endangered species

Freshwater Mussels
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/Endangered/clams/index.html
Wisconsin's Threatened & Endangered Mussels
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/invertebrates/mussels/
Professional societies

Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society
http://ellipse.inhs.uiuc.edu/FMCS/

American Malacological Society
http://erato.acnatsci.org/ams/
Conchologists of America
http://www.conchologistsofamerica.org/home/
Popular articles

Smithsonian Magazine
http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues98/jan98/mussel.html
Conchologists of America
http://www.conchologistsofamerica.org/home/

Freshwater Mussels
http://www.bio.umass.edu/biology/conn.river/fwmussel.html

The Clamor Over Clams
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/inverts/ndclam/index.htm

Fun With Freshwater Mussels
http://www.uvm.edu/~pass/tignor/mussels/index.htm

Freshwater Mussels: A neglected and declining aquatic resource
http://biology.usgs.gov/s+t/noframe/f076.htm

Making Mussels
http://www.mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2003/08/10.htm
State web pages

Alabama Mollusks Freshwater
http://fly.hiwaay.net/~dwills/mussels/alafwsp1.html

Illinois Department of Natural Resources
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/mussels/intro.htm
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
http://www.ag.iastate.edu/centers/wrg/mussels/mussels.html

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mussels/index.html
Missouri Department of Conservation
http://mdc.mo.gov/nathis/mollusks
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/factsheets/mussels.htm
Federal web pages

National Park Service
http://www.nature.nps.gov/water/mussels.htm

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
http://www.nps.gov/miss/features/mussels/index.html

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
http://news.fws.gov/mussels.html
Private web pages

The Nature Conservancy (Rivers of Life document)
http://www.natureserve.org/publications/riversOflife.jsp
Miscellaneous

Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/mollusks/people/mulcrone/questions.html
NOVA Online:The Perfect Pearl
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pearl/
Unio Gallery at Missouri State University
Freshwater Mollusc Links (mainly bivalves)
http://unionid.missouristate.edu/
Mussel Host Fish Database
http://128.146.250.235/MusselHost/

[Caitlin]

Threatened and Endangered Mussels
All the pictures in the following posts are from Government webpages. Link is in green letters above.


Winged
mapleleaf


Higgins' eye
pearlymussel


Fat
pocketbook


Scaleshell

Spectaclecase
In North America, it is estimated that 43% of the 300 species of freshwater mussels are in danger of extinction. Further, the current extinction rate (percent loss per decade) for freshwater mussels is 1.2% and is estimated to be 6.4% in the future. These rates fall within the range of estimates for tropical rainforest communities (1-8% loss per decade). Historically, the Midwest boasted the most diverse collection of mussels in the world. But today, the States of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio list more than half of their 78 known mussel species as endangered, threatened, or requiring special concern.
No other group of animals in North America is in such grave danger of extinction! Four mussel species that reside in the Upper Mississippi River basin receive Federal protection under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. They are listed as endangered species and include the winged mapleleaf, Higgins' eye, fat pocketbook and scaleshell. The sheepnose and spectaclecase are candidate species. Numerous other species are listed by the States of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri.

[Caitlin]

more pix of endangered mussels


Sheepnose


Spectaclecase

[Caitlin]

four more endangered mussels. Such wonderful names....

AAALL these pictures are links to information about them.

Threeridge


Purple wartyback


Elephantear


Spike

[Caitlin]

And more:

Yellow sandshell


Pistolgrip


Ebonyshell


Wabash pigtoe

[Caitlin]

Monkeyface


Wartyback


Pimpleback


Mapleleaf

[Caitlin]

Elktoe


Flat floater


Rock pocketbook


White heelsplitter

[Caitlin]

Creek heelsplitter


Flutedshell


Giant floater


Salamander mussel

[Caitlin]

Creeper


Paper pondshell


Mucket


Butterfly

[Caitlin]

Plain pocketbook


Higgins' eye
pearlymussel


Fatmucket


Yellow sandshell