Two kinds of freshwater mussel found in Tennessee were added today to the federal Endangered Species list. The two molluscs join dozens of others already considered endangered in the state. Mussels depend on clean water, so researchers say that they’re dwindling reflects worsening pollution.
The two species are the snuffbox and rayed bean mussels. They’re both found in the Duck River south of Nashville, as well as the Clinch further east. Leslie Colley is the Nature Conservancy’s program manager for the Duck. She says the mussels are filter feeders, kind of cleaning the water by eating tiny organic bits that wash past.
“…and taking in everything, including whatever pollutants might be in that water. So they’re actually an excellent indicator of water quality, sort of – and I hate to use the old analogy – but sort of like the canary in the coal mine, yes.”
Colley says because other species in the Duck River were already considered endangered, the latest addition won’t bring much regulatory impact. But she says it’s frustrating to still be adding new species to the list.
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