The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced its proposal to provide protections for a rare freshwater mussel species, known as the green floater, historically found in ten states across the eastern United States. The small freshwater mussel is typically discovered in small streams and large rivers, and its existence is now endangered due to the loss, fragmentation, and degradation of its aquatic habitat.
The proposed listing would designate the green floater as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The states historically known to be home to the green floater include Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Presently, the green floater can still be found in seven states within its native range: Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. However, there have been no recent records of the green floater from New Jersey or the District of Columbia, and the species was considered eradicated in Alabama and Georgia.
The green floater is characterized by its ovate trapezoidal shaped shells, which are typically yellowish brown or olive green and rarely exceed 2.17 inches in size. According to the North Carolina Wildlife Commission, they are omnivores, consuming microscopic matter like bacteria and algae. Their lifespan is relatively short, ranging from three to four years.
Preferred habitats for these fast-growing mussels include rivers and streams with slow to medium flows and good water quality. They are often found in sand or gravel where they secure a foothold and bury themselves as deep as 15 inches. Due to their limited mobility, they tend to avoid strong currents and are commonly found in quieter pools and eddies.
The green floaters face substantial risks of decline due to current land-use patterns, including development, energy production, and agriculture. Moreover, the impact of climate change, such as increasing drought, intense storms, and rising temperatures, further degrades their aquatic habitats.
The proposed protection plan aims to designate about 1,600 miles of rivers in eight units across Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia as critical habitat for the green floater.
In the wake of these pressing threats, wildlife officials are hopeful that the proposed protections will help safeguard the future of the green floater and preserve its ecological role within these crucial aquatic ecosystems.
