Introduction

The purpose of this guide is to help educate people, especially Louisiana residents, about the freshwater mussels inhabiting the state in the hope that everyone can better understand the importance of these wonderful creatures as both wildlife and a natural resource. Though not the most obvious animals, freshwater mussels are all around you living in many different aquatic habitats from large rivers and floodplain lakes to neighborhood ponds. If you make an effort to find them, mussels prove themselves to be quite fascinating, coming in a variety of extraordinary colors, shapes and sizes. There are currently two families of freshwater mussels present in United States and Canada: Margaritiferidae and Unionidae. Though many people are working tirelessly to conserve and protect them, freshwater mussel populations continue to decline, and many species globally are facing extinction. It is more important than ever to raise awareness of these amazing animals and what we can do to help ensure their persistence. It is our sincere hope that this guide will accurately represent the diversity of Louisiana’s freshwater mussels to promote a stronger conservation ethic through education. This guide includes pictures, shell descriptions, habitat, state and federal conservation ranks, distributions, known host fishes and similar species for every freshwater mussel found in Louisiana as well as information about two common invasive bivalves. Currently, Louisiana is home to one species in the family Margaritiferidae and 62 species in the family Unionidae that in total represent about 24% of the recognized species in the U.S. About 55% of Louisiana’s freshwater mussels are considered critically imperiled, imperiled or vulnerable at the state level, and five species are federally listed as threatened or endangered.

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Franchesca Ruiz, ASPIRE Intern, 4-H Youth Development
Garrett Hopper, Assistant Professor, School of Renewable Natural Resources
with photos by Shalanda Warr