U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service April 2015 Neosho Mucket and Rabbitsfoot Mussels

No other country in the world Freshwater Mussel Facts Common and scientific names: equals the United States in Neosho mucket ( rafinesqueana) freshwater mussel variety. The Rabbitsfoot U.S. has nearly 300 mussel (Quadrula cylindrica cylindrica) Status: The Neosho mucket and rabbitsfoot species, while Europe has were federally listed under the Endangered only 12 species. The Southeast Species Act on September 17, 2013. The Neosho mucket is endangered and the is especially rich in aquatic rabbitsfoot is threatened. Both mussel biodiversity. species have been lost from more than 60 percent of their historical ranges. Unfortunately, our mussels are in trouble. It’s estimated that 70 percent of U.S. freshwater Description: Mussels are bivalve mollusks, mussels are extinct, endangered, or in need which means they have two valves (shells) of special protection. Many of their problems surrounding a soft fleshy body. Freshwater stem from how they live and the changes that mussels are related to snails, oysters, clams have occurred to their river habitats. and squids. Neosho mucket uses a minnow Why are freshwater mussels so imperiled? Habitat: Rabbitsfoot mussels prefer shallow lure to attract a host fish (bass) for Our native freshwater mussels face greater areas with sand and gravel along the bank its larvae, credit Chris Barnhart/ problems today than they did just a few years and next to shoals, which provide a refuge Missouri State University. ago. Mussels are primarily threatened from in fast-moving rivers. They are found in 13 changes to their habitat. Although water states from Pennsylvania to Oklahoma. quality has improved in some areas, pollution, Neosho mucket mussels are also found especially polluted rainwater runoff from in river bottoms with gravel and sand in roads and fields, is an ongoing threat to native shoals and near the shore. They are found mussels. Dirt and chemical contaminants in streams and rivers in Arkansas, , in streams continue to take a serious toll. Missouri and Oklahoma. Habitat losses from channelization and sand and gravel mining are also problems. Diet: Most must travel in search of food. But the food for these mussels Life down under — mainly tiny plants and animals called Most freshwater mussels live burrowed in plankton suspended in the water — drifts to mixed mud, sand, and gravel at the bottom of the mussels. By drawing water inside their rivers and streams. Some are adapted to the shells through a siphon, their gills filter out quiet water and muddy depths of lakes, ponds, food and take in oxygen. and reservoirs. Life history: Fertilized eggs develop and are Mussels usually do not move much, but a released into the water to begin a parasitic muscular “foot” helps them burrow and stage. With little time to waste, these allows limited travel if disturbed by floods youngsters, called glochidia, must attach or drought. The foot also helps anchor them themselves to a host fish or perish. For some against strong currents and may prevent a mussels, the host is limited to only a few Rabbitsfoot uses a midge fly lure hungry muskrat from tugging them out for its fish species. Neosho mucket only uses black to attract a host fish (shiners) for dinner. A mussel’s shell, however, provides its basses such as smallmouth, largemouth, and its larvae, credit Chris Barnhart/ main protection from predators. for its host. Rabbitsfoot uses Missouri State University. Their hard, calcium-based shells consist about a dozen species of shiners (minnows) of two halves joined by a hinge. Unique for its host. This harmless parasitic stage names like “rabbitsfoot,” “Neosho mucket,” lasts a matter of weeks before the larvae “heelsplitter.” and “fawnsfoot” refer to the transform into young mussels and are ready wide range of shell size, color, shape, and to drop off the fish and begin a life on the texture. stream bottom. Their life span is unknown, but a good estimate is 15 to 30 years. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Critical habitat for the Neosho mucket and rabbitsfoot mussels The Service has designated critical habitat for both mussel species. Critical habitat is a geographic area scientifically identified by the Service as necessary for the species to survive and reproduce. Designating critical habitat informs landowners and the public which specific areas are important to the species’ conservation and recovery. In addition, federal agencies are required to consult with the Service on their actions that could impact critical habitat and together they work to avoid or minimize impacts through conservation measures. These measures would need to be carried River, Arkansas, is home to rabbitsfoot and Neosho mucket, credit Chris Davidson/USFWS out because the species are federally protected and listed, regardless of Cultural value Use pesticides responsibly, especially whether or not critical habitat is Mussels played an important role in around streams and lakes, to prevent designated. the cultural history of prehistoric and runoff into mussel habitats. Consider recent native people. They were used using Integrated Pest Management For the Neosho mucket, the Service as food and the shells were used for strategies to reduce pesticide use. designated critical habitat in seven ornamentation, tools, and as a commodity stream segments where the mussel is for trade. Indian shell middens (the Help control soil erosion by planting trees found, comprising approximately 483 piles of shells that Native Americans left and plants to avoid runoff of sediments river miles in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri behind) extend for miles along sites of old into freshwater areas. and Oklahoma. For the rabbitsfoot, the villages and encampments along rivers. Support practices for construction and Service designated critical habitat in Mussels were used for buttons prior to 31 stream segments where the mussel maintenance of unpaved, rural dirt and World War II. They are still used in the gravel roads that minimize erosion and is found, comprising approximately cultured pearl industry. 1,437 river miles in Alabama, Arkansas, connectivity to our rivers and lakes. Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Biodiversity Support and follow Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Mussels play an important role in our quarantine, inspection, and Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. The critical aquatic ecosystems. Considering that less decontamination programs to prevent habitat is limited to the river itself, than 20 mussel species are found in most the spread of zebra mussels, an invasive below the high watermark, and not the other countries of the world, our North species that competes with native watersheds. American rivers and streams are truly mussels. “rich” with close to 300 species. Why should we care about mussels? Where can I find more information Monitors of aquatic health What is being done? regarding the recovery efforts and critical The presence of diverse and reproducing There is still much more to learn about habitat for the Neosho mucket and populations of mussels indicate a healthy the biology and conservation issues rabbitsfoot? aquatic system which means good fishing, facing mussels. Thanks to grants from Additional information is available at: good water quality for waterfowl, other the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and wildlife species, and people as well as state wildlife agencies, researchers are www.fws.gov/southeast/species/ assuring that our water is safe for our use now making new discoveries about the invertebrate/neosho_mucket.html (swimming and drinking). Conversely, locations and abundance of rare mussel when mussel populations are at risk, it populations. This information, along with and indicates problems for other fish and efforts to understand specific biological www.fws.gov/southeast/species/ wildlife species, and people, too. traits like identifying fish hosts, will allow invertebrate/rabbitsfoot.html for better conservation actions to ensure Ecological value the continued survival of these rare and Mussels are natural filters, feeding on interesting animals. algae and plankton that help clean the water. Mussels are also an important How can you help? food source for many species of wildlife Individuals can do a number of things to including otters, raccoon, muskrat, help protect mussels including: herons, egrets, and some fish. Conserve water to allow more water to Education and aesthetic value remain in streams. The study of mussels, their natural history, and habitat requirements provides important lessons on the interconnectedness of the aquatic system and how species adapt to their ecosystem.