Alabama Mussels in the Genus Epioblasma
Sugarspoon Epioblasma arcaeformis. Endemic to Cumberlandian Region. Occurred in Tennessee River downstream to Muscle Shoals. Has not been reported since the river was impounded. EXTINCT.
Angled Riffleshell Epioblasma biemarginata. Endemic to Cumberlandian Region. Occurred in Tennessee River and major tributaries downstream to Muscle Shoals. EXTINCT.
Cumberlandian Combshell Epioblasma brevidens. Rare. Endemic to Cumberlandian Region. Remnant populations are found only in a short reach of Bear Creek, Colbert County. Limited to shoal habitats. Reintroduction program planned for Tennessee River in Wilson Dam tailwaters. Listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. HIGHEST CONSERVATION CONCERN.
Oyster Mussel Epioblasma capsaeformis. Extirpated. Endemic to Cumberlandian Region. Historically occurred downstream to Muscle Shoals and in Paint Rock and Elk rivers. Restricted to shoal habitats. Reintroduction underway at Wilson Dam tailwaters. Listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. CONSERVATION ACTION UNDERWAY.
Leafshell Epioblasma flexuosa. Extinct. Once found throughout Tennessee River. Has not been reported since the river was impounded. EXTINCT.
Yellow Blossom Epioblasma florentina florentina. Extirpated. Endemic to Cumberlandian Region. Historically in Tennessee River downstream to Muscle Shoals and some major tributaries. Has not been reported since early twentieth century. Listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. No species account because called extinct in Alabama Wildlife. EXTIRPATED.
Acornshell Epioblasma haysiana. Extinct. Endemic to Cumberlandian Region. Occurred in Tennessee River downstream to Muscle Shoals and in lower Elk River. Has not been reported since the river was impounded. EXTINCT.
Narrow Catspaw Epioblasma lenior. Extinct. Endemic to Cumberlandian Region. Known from Paint Rock River system. Has not been reported since early twentieth century. EXTINCT.
Forkshell Epioblasma lewisii. Extinct. Endemic to Cumberlandian Region. Occurred in Tennessee River downstream to Muscle Shoals. Has not been reported since the river was impounded. EXTINCT.
Upland Combshell Epioblasma metastriata. Extirpated. Endemic to Mobile Basin. Historically occurred throughout the system. Not reported recently and last collected from Conasauga River. Restricted to shoal habitats. Listed as endangeredby the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Catspaw Epioblasma obliquata obliquata. Extirpated. Historically found throughout Tennessee River. Has not been reported since the river was impounded. Restricted to shoal habitats. Listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Southern Acornshell Epioblasma othcaloogensis. Extirpated. Endemic to Coosa and Cahaba river systems upstream of Fall Line. Not reported in recent years. Restricted to shoal habitats. Listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Southern Combshell Epioblasma penita. Rare. Endemic to Mobile Basin. Historically distributed throughout the system. Remnant populations are found only in Buttahatchee River. Possibly distributed upstream into Alabama. Found in shoal habitats. Listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. HIGHEST CONSERVATION CONCERN.
Rounded Combshell Epioblasma personata. Extinct. Historically distributed throughout Tennessee River. Has not been reported since the river was impounded. EXTINCT.
Tennessee Riffleshell Epioblasma propinqua. Extinct. Historically occurred throughout Tennessee River. Has not been reported since the river was impounded. EXTINCT.
Cumberland Leafshell Epioblasma stewardsonii. Extinct. Endemic to Tennessee River system. Has not been reported since the river was impounded. EXTINCT.
Tubercled Blossom Epioblasma torulosa torulosa. Possibly extinct. Historically found across northern Alabama in Tennessee River. Has not been reported since the river was impounded. Listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Snuffbox Epioblasma triquetra. Rare. Historically occurred across northern Alabama in Tennessee River and some major tributaries. Remnant populations are found only in Paint Rock River. Restricted to shoal habitats. Listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. HIGHEST CONSERVATION CONCERN.
Turgid Blossom Epioblasma turgidula. Possibly extinct. Historically distributed across northern Alabama in Tennessee River proper and some major tributaries. Has not been reported since early twentieth century. Was restricted to shoal habitats. Listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Information and video of mussels in the genus Epioblasma may be found at http://unionid.missouristate.edu/gallery/Epioblasma/.
