New distributional records and rediscovery of three rare freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionidae) in the Sequatchie River, Tennessee

Abstract

We present new drainage records for five freshwater mussels in the Sequatchie River, a tributary of the Tennessee River. We also report the rediscovery of Purple Lilliput, Toxolasma lividum Rafinesque, 1831, Tennessee Pigtoe, Pleuronaia barnesiana (Lea, 1838), and the federally endangered Slabside Pearlymussel, Pleuronaia dolabelloides (Lea, 1840), and we provide information on other mussel species found in our survey. In the Sequatchie River, T. lividum was last seen in 1957 and P. barnesiana and P. dolabelloides were last seen in 1980. The discovery of five new drainage records and rediscovery of three rare species highlights the need for additional mussel surveys in the Sequatchie River and the importance of surveys in conservation efforts.