Freshwater Mussel Inquiry

Type: Nontidal
Region:
Location:

Hello, my name is Gabriel A. Peck and I am a volunteer cartographer for the Arc of Appalachia Preserve System in Bainbridge, Ohio. We are a local non-profit conservation organization dedicated to preserving and rebuilding the Eastern Deciduous Forest in Ohio.

I am currently researching for the Arc to highlight the biodiversity of the Eastern Deciduous Forest in the hopes of making further progress in awareness and conservation of this important biome.

We are seeking information on the total number of current species of native freshwater mussels (ONLY the Unionidae and Margaritiferidae families) species in your state.

The information you provide will be used only by the Arc and will be monumental in raising awareness about the importance and intrinsic beauty of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. If you can provide information, please also include how you would like your organization listed in the sources of the map (such as Ohio DNR, etc.).

Thanks so much for your time and I look forward to your response.

DNR's Reponse by Biologist Matt Ashton
The State of Maryland recognizes 16 species of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) as native. Various references over the past two decades report varied richness (14-19 species), but the status of unionid taxonomy is in flux so we currently use a generally accepted mussel species richness of 16. If you have any further questions feel free to contact myself or State Zoologist Jim McCann.

Further info regarding freshwater mussels can be found on www.dnr.state.md.us/streams/pdfs/musselFactSheet.pdf and one about the most common species www.dnr.state.md.us/streams/pdfs/elliptioComplanata.pdf.