Freshwater Unionidae is the most rapidly declining faunal group in the US, including Texas. Among the 52 species known in Texas, there are at least 26 species that require special attention, including six endemic and one federally listed endangered species. Currently we are funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (State Wildlife Grants, 2004 - 2010) to conduct statewide surveys of the rare and the most valuable Unionidae populations in Texas. As a result of our surveys, of the 46 Unionidae species currently present in Texas, 65% were classified as rare and very rare, including all state and regional endemics. All collected data will be a part of the Texas Natural Diversity Database, making the data readily available for conservation, monitoring and decision making. We are currently working with TPWD personnel to prioritize sites for conservation based on species endemism and diversity.
Texas endemic Quadrula aurea, Golden orb. Guadalupe River, April 2006
Texas endemic Quadrula aurea, Golden orb. Guadalupe River, April 2006
Lake Corpus Christi, May 2006. Photo: Vadim Karatayev
Lake Brownwood. Filtering Leptodea fragilis. Photo: Lyubov Burlakova
Texas endemic Fusconaia lananensis. Village Creek, September 2005.
Village Creek, September 2005. Daniel Bennett and Lyubov Burlakova identifying unionids.
