Current Distributional Information on Freshwater Mussels (Family Unionidae) inMississippi National Forests

摘要

Little is known about the distribution of freshwater mussels in Mississippinational forests. Review of the scant available information revealed that the national forests harbor a diverse mussel fauna of possibly 46 or more species (including confirmed, probable, and potential occurrences). Occurrence of 33 species is confirmed. Because of the geographic, Physiographic, and drainage basin diversity of Mississippi national forests, there is considerable variation in mussel communities among the national forests. Three distinct faunal groups are represented in Mississippi national forests, each with a characteristic assemblage of species. One species of potential occurrence is a federally endangered species, 1 species of confirmed occurrence are considered of special concern by the American Fisheries Society.