So why Mussels of Texas? The accurate identification of freshwater mussels or any other species for that matter, and understanding their distribution is essential for not only enjoying them in nature but also for aiding in their conservation and management.

Texas hosts more than 50 species of native freshwater mussels. Because scientists have only recently become aware of the severe decline in mussel populations, some species may have become extinct before their decline was even documented. Currently, 15 mussel species are listed as threatened at the state level.

This library collection includes information pertaining to the listed or proposed freshwater mussel species in Texas. The information is organized into five sections: Species, Maps and Data, Recovery, and Permitting.

Mussels are bivalves (invertebrates with 2 shells) that feed by filtering algae, phytoplankton, and other small particles from the water. As adults they are sessile, meaning they are fixed in one place.

Texas is known for many things – its size, stunning vistas, hot weather, and barbeque just to name a few. But did you know the Lone Star State is home to over 50 species of native freshwater mussels? Sometimes referred to as the “livers of the river,” freshwater mussels are the cornerstones of clean water.

Mussels are often the first species to vanish when environmental conditions change or decline. As filter feeders, mussels concentrate substances that are dissolved in the water. Mussel tissues can be examined to check for many toxic chemical pollutants of our rivers, lakes, and streams.

Each of the seven species of Central Texas mussels belong to Family Unionidae, also known as the naiads and pearly mussels, a group of bivalve mollusks known to have been in existence for over 400 million years (Howells et al. 1996, p.1) and now representing over 600 species worldwide and over 250 species in North America (Strayer et al. 2004 ...

The Mussels of Texas (MoTX) and associated database are a culmination of NRI effort plus partial funding support used in the website interface from TxDOT over a 10-year period. The data itself comes from a variety of sources including museums, state agencies, academia, and …

Fifteen species of mussels maintain a state status of threatened in Texas; of which one is a candidate for federal protection and 11 others are currently petitioned for listing under the US Endangered Species Act (ESA). Relatively little is known about freshwater mussels in Texas and few studies have examined Texas freshwater mussels in detail.

2024年6月3日 · Freshwater mussels can pump and filter eight to 15 gallons of water a day, cleaning rivers and streams. Six of the 50 mussels that call Texas home are federally protected by Monday’s listing....