MOLLUSKS IN THE NEWS
Mussels are back in the river

The recent success of the "flupsy" or floating upweller system, created a stir recently in media across the Midwest.


The Kansas City Star, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Columbia Daily Tribune all featured significant articles. (The coverage in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch was on the front page, above the fold.) Several television stations in the Kansas city area picked up the story as well. Check out the link below to experience some of mussels "fifteen "of fame.


"Bulking up Mussels"
Columbia Daily Tribune

 


Reintroducing the riffleshell to Ohio—the largest relocation of an endangered species in Ohio's history.



MOLLUSKS AND TOXICOLOGY

The October 2007 issue of the Journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry has a special section on the pollutant sensitivity of freshwater mussels.


Check out this news release on this important study.



FISH SNAPPERS REVEALED

If you're impressed by the stunning evolutionary adaptations mussels exhibit, recently recorded behavior by the genus Epioblasma will take your breath away.



Now that amazing behavior has been recorded on video. Check out these images captured by Bill Roston and Chris Barnhart on this link to the Unio Gallery.


Epioblasma page - Unio Gallery



Freshwater Mollusks are important

North American streams, rivers, and lakes support the richest diversity of freshwater mollusks on the planet. Over 650 species of snails and 300 species of freshwater mussels have been described by scientists so far. While there are species associated with every type of aquatic habitat, the greatest diversity is found in flowing streams.

Our freshwater mollusks are not only a fascinating part of our natural heritage but have global significance. As a group, they serve vital functions in freshwater ecosystems and many species are commercially important. Their life history is amazing, and the behavior ranges from the simple to the bizarre and unbelievable.

Unfortunately, freshwater mollusks are the most imperiled group of animals in America, and many populations are disappearing at an alarming rate. This decline is telling us something because mollusks are good indicators of healthy ecosystems. What is happening to our nation’s freshwater systems? How does is affect people?

the life of freshwater mollusks

This website is dedicated to:

• informing the public about incredible life history of freshwater mollusks
• exploring the issues that have lead to this decline
• empowering citizens to care about this important part of our natural heritage