U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Appalachian elktoe Alamidonta raveneliana

they land in a suitable place with good and eastern Tennessee. Although water conditions. This dependence the complete historical range of on a certain species of fish increases the Appalachian elktoe is unknown, the mussels’ vulnerability to habitat available information suggests that the disturbances. If the fish host is driven species once lived in the majority of the off or eliminated because of habitat or rivers and larger creeks of the upper water quality problems, the mussels Tennessee River system in North can’t reproduce and will eventually die Carolina. In Tennessee, the species is out. known only from its present range in the main stem of the Nolichucky River.

Appalachian elktoe, USFWS Habitat: The species has been reported from relatively shallow, medium-sized Currently, the Appalachian elktoe has creeks and rivers with cool, clean, a very fragmented, relict distribution. Status: Endangered well-oxygenated, moderate- to fast- The species still survives in scattered flowing water. The species is most pockets of suitable habitat in portions Description: The Appalachian elktoe often found in riffles, runs, and shallow of the Little Tennessee River system, has a thin, kidney-shaped shell, flowing pools with stable, relatively Pigeon River system, Mills River, and extending to about 10 centimeters (4 silt-free, coarse sand and gravel Little River in North Carolina, and inches). Juveniles generally have a substrate associated with cobble, the Nolichucky River system in North yellowish-brown periostracum (outer boulders, and/or bedrock. Stability of Carolina and Tennessee. shell surface), while the periostracum the substrate appears to be critical to of the adults is usually dark brown the Appalachian elktoe, and the species Listing: Federal Register, November to greenish-black in color. Although is seldom found in stream reaches with 23, 1994. 59 FR 60324 60334 rays are prominent on some shells, accumulations of silt or shifting sand, particularly in the posterior portion of gravel, or cobble. Individuals that the shell, many individuals have only Critical Habitat: Federal Register, have been encountered in these areas September 27, 2002. 67 FR 61016 61040 obscure greenish rays. The shell nacre are believed to have been scoured out (inside shell surface) is shiny, often of upstream areas during periods of white to bluish-white, changing to a Threats: Available information heavy rain, and have not been found on indicates that several factors adversely salmon, pinkish, or brownish color in subsequent surveys. the central and beak cavity portions affect water and habitat quality of our of the shell; some specimens may creeks and rivers and have contributed Range: The Appalachian elktoe be marked with irregular brownish to the decline and loss of populations is known only from the mountain blotches. of the Appalachian elktoe and threaten streams of western North Carolina the remaining populations. These The reproductive cycle of the species is similar to other native mussels. Males release sperm into the water, and the eggs are fertilized when the sperm are taken in by the females through their siphons during feeding and respiration. Females retain the fertilized eggs in their gills until the larvae (glochidia) fully develop. The glochidia are released into the water and must attach to the gills or fins of the appropriate fish species. They remain attached to their “fish host” for several weeks, drawing nourishment from the fish while they develop into juvenile mussels. They do not hurt their “fish host.” The juvenile mussels then detach from the fish host and drop to the bottom of the stream where they continue to develop, provided U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service factors include pollutants in wastewater Therefore, flows during dry months can corn, to produce new hybrids that are discharges (sewage treatment plants decrease and adversely affect mussels more resistant to disease, pests, and and industrial discharges); habitat and other aquatic organisms. marginal climatic conditions. Our food loss and alteration associated with crops depend on insects and other impoundments, channelization, and Why should we be concerned about animals for pollination. Healthy forests dredging operations; and the run-off the loss of species? Extinction is a clean the air and provide oxygen for us of silt, fertilizers, pesticides, and other natural process that has been occurring to breathe. Wetlands clean water and pollutants from poorly implemented since long before the appearance of help minimize the impacts of floods. land-use activities. humans. Normally, new species develop, These services are the foundation of through a process known as speciation, life and depend on a diversity of plants Freshwater mussels, especially in at about the same rate other species and animals working in concert. Each their early life stages, are extremely become extinct. However, because of air time a species disappears, we lose not sensitive to many pollutants and water pollutions, forest clearing, only those benefits we know it provided (chlorine, ammonia, heavy metals, loss of wetlands, and other man-induced but other benefits that we have yet to high concentrations of nutrients, environmental changes, extinctions are realize. etc.) commonly found in municipal now occurring at a rate that far exceeds and industrial wastewater effluents. the speciation rate. What you can do to help Activities such as impoundments, Establish and maintain forested channelization projects, and in-stream All living things are part of a complex stream-side buffers. Several federal, dredging operations eliminate mussel and interconnected network. The state, and private programs are habitat. These activities can also removal of a single species cans set off available to assist landowners, both alter the quality and stability of the a chain reaction that could affect many technically and financially, with remaining stream reaches by affecting other species. For example, the loss of restoring and protecting stream-side the flow regimes, water velocities, and a single plant species can result in the buffers and eroding streams. water temperature and chemistry. disappearance of up to 30 other species of animals and plants. Each extinction Implement and maintain measures for Agriculture (both crop and livestock) diminishes the diversity and complexity controlling erosion and storm water and forestry operations, mining of life on earth. during and after land-clearing and activities, highway and road disturbance activities. Excess soil in construction, residential and industrial Endangered species are indicators of our streams from erosion is one of the developments, and other construction the health of our environment. The loss greatest water pollution problems we and land-clearing activities that do of these plants and animals is a sign have today. not adequately control soil erosion that the quality of our environment and storm-water run-off contribute – air, land, and water – is declining. Be careful with the use and disposal excessive amounts of silt, pesticides, Gradual freshwater mussel die-offs, of fertilizers, pesticides, and other fertilizers, heavy metals, and other such as the declining Tar spinymussel, chemicals. Remember, what you put on pollutants. These pollutants suffocate and sudden mussels kills are reliable your land or dump down the drain may and poison freshwater mussels. indicators of water pollution problems. eventually wind up in nearby water. Stable, divers mussel populations The run-off of storm water from generally indicate clean water and a Support local, state and national clean cleared areas, roads, rooftops, parking healthy aquatic environment. While water legislation. lots, and other developed areas, which poor environmental quality may first is often ditched or piped directly into manifest itself in the health of our plant Report illegal dumping activities, streams, not only results in stream and animals populations, if untreated, erosion, and sedimentation problems. pollution but also results in increased it eventually affects humans directly, as These activities affect the quality of water volume and velocity during we breathe polluted air, loose valuable our water, for drinking, fishing, and heavy rains. The high volume and topsoil to erosion, or get sick from swimming. velocity cause channel and stream- swimming in contaminated water. bank scouring that leads to the Participate in the protection of degradation and elimination of mussel We depend on the diversity of plant our remaining wild lands and the habitat. Construction and land-clearing and animal life for our recreation, restoration of damaged ecosystems. operations are particularly detrimental nourishment, and many of our when they result in the alteration of lifesaving medicines and the ecological Prepared by: flood plains or the removal of forested functions they provide. One-quarter U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stream buffers that ordinarily would of all the prescriptions written in the Asheville Field Office help maintain water quality and the United States today contain chemicals 160 Zillicoa Street stability of stream banks and channels that were originally discovered in Asheville, North Carolina 28801 by absorbing, filtering, and slowly plants and animals. Industry and (828) 258 3939 releasing rainwater. When storm water agriculture are increasingly making run-off increases from land-clearing use of wild plants, seeking out the November, 2011 activities, less water is absorbed remaining wild strain of many to recharge ground water levels. common crops, such as wheat and