Recovery Plan for Cumberland Elktoe (Alasmidonta atropurpurea), Oyster Mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis), Cumberlandian Combshell (Epioblasma brevidens), Purple Bean (Villosa perpurpurea), and Rough Rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica strigillata)

摘要

The Cumberland elktoe (Alasmidonta atropurpurea), oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis), Cumberlandian combshell (Epioblasma brevidens), purple bean (Villosa perpurpurea), and rough rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica strigillata) are federally listed as endangered species. All five mussels are native (endemic) to either the Cumberland River system (Cumberland elktoe), the Tennessee River system (purple bean and rough rabbitsfoot), or to both river systems (oyster mussel and Cumberlandian combshell). They once existed in thousands of stream miles and now survive in only a few relatively small, isolated populations, many of questionable long-term viability. The Cumberland elktoe is extant in 12 mostly small streams in the upper Cumberland River system in Kentucky and Tennessee. The oyster mussel is extant in three streams of the Tennessee River system in Tennessee and Virginia. The Cumberlandian combshell is extant in two streams of the Cumberland River system in Kentucky and Tennessee and three streams of the Tennessee River in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia. The purple bean is extant in five streams, and the rough rabbitsfoot is extant in three streams, of the upper Tennessee River system in Tennessee and Virginia.