Freshwater Mussels in the Stamp River
On a recent excursion along the Stamp River Long Trail, or Anglers Trail. I noticed a freshwater mussel in the water near me as I was having lunch. I took this lousy picture. Not knowing much about them, I read up on these guys. This one is likely Western Pearlshell (Margaritifera falcata). As a kid, I always called them clams. But they are actually called freshwater mussels. I was amazed to find out that they can live over 100 years! The larvae are external parasites on fish called glochidia but generally they don’t harm the fish much. There is quite a variety of methods by which the glochidia manage to become attached to the fish. then they drop off, develop shells and stay on the bottom. This is, however, the method they use to colonize new areas. Freshwater mussels as a group are one fo the most endangered group of creatures in North America.