Dear Readers,

Sarah and the USFWS have skillfully avoided using the scientific name of
the Scaleshell Mussel (note upper case/antirevisionist epithet), which is
known to us amateurs (and, I'm sure, several professionals) as Leptodea
leptodon Rafinesque, 1820.  This constitutes a marvelously absurd reverse
affectation.

Harry


At 07:38 PM 8/13/99 EDT, you wrote:
>U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Endangered Status for Scaleshell
>Mussel
>
>FT. SNELLING, Minn., Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
>Service today proposed to list the scaleshell mussel, a freshwater species
>once found in many rivers in the eastern United States, as endangered under
>the Endangered Species Act.  A plant or animal is designated as endangered if
>it is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its
>range.
>
>Nearly 75 percent of historically known river populations of scaleshells have
>disappeared, said Bill Hartwig, the Service's regional director for the Great
>Lakes-Big Rivers region.  The species once inhabited 53 rivers or streams
>throughout most of the eastern United States, with populations found as far
>west as Oklahoma, but now is found only in 13 rivers.
>
>"The decline of the scaleshell is an all-too-common trend in freshwater
>mussels in the United States," Hartwig said. "Freshwater mussels are valuable
>members of aquatic ecosystems, and act as excellent indicators of the quality
>of the water they inhabit -- water we all depend upon.  Unfortunately,
>mussels are one of the most endangered groups of animals in the country."
>
>The scaleshell is a relatively small freshwater mussel species measuring 1 to
>4 inches in width with a thin, fragile shell and faint green rays.  This
>species inhabits medium-sized and large rivers with stable channels and good
>water quality.
>
>Scaleshells currently exist in Missouri (Meramec River, Big River, Bourbeuse
>River, Gasconade River and possibly Big Piney River); Arkansas (St. Francis
>River, Spring River, South Fork Spring River, Strawberry River, South Fourche
>LaFave River, Cossatot River, Saline River, and Little Missouri River); and
>Oklahoma (Kiamichi River).  Of these populations, 10 are thought to be
>declining.  The status of the scaleshell in the Missouri River in South
>Dakota is unknown.
>
>Threats to the scaleshell, as with many other mussel species, include
>degraded water quality due to pollution and sedimentation, alteration of
>habitat through damming of waterways, dredging and channelization of rivers,
>and competition with non-native species like the zebra mussel.  In
>particular, pollutants from industrial sources, sewage, and spills can kill
>mussels, and sedimentation from dredging and erosion along rivers and streams
>can cover them and impair respiration and feeding.  Mussels are sedentary
>animals and cannot move away from threats.
>
>The scaleshell's range overlaps those of several other mussel species that
>are already federally listed as endangered or threatened. They include the
>pink mucket in the Meramec, Big, Gasconade, Spring, Strawberry, and Little
>Missouri rivers; the fat pocketbook in the St. Francis River; the Curtis
>pearly mussel in the South Fork Spring River; the Ouachita rock-pocketbook in
>the Kiamichi River; the Arkansas fatmucket in the Saline River; and the
>winged mapleleaf in the Little Missouri.
>
>Because the primary threat to the scaleshell -- degradation of water quality
>due to non-point source pollution -- is the same as that for listed mussels,
>steps needed to conserve the scaleshell would be similar to measures already
>in place for other mussels in its range. In general, recovery actions focus
>on best management practices and existing technology to control pollutants
>and sedimentation and minimize their impacts on mussels.  As a result, the
>Service does not expect that a decision to list the scaleshell would have any
>significant additional impact on activities on the rivers.
>
>The Service's action initiates a thorough review of the scaleshell during
>which the agency will determine whether endangered status is appropriate.
>Public comment will be sought on the proposal, and the Service will make a
>final determination in one year.
>
>If the Service determines that endangered status is appropriate for the
>scaleshell, the species will benefit from protections and recovery actions
>under the Endangered Species Act.  Species listed as endangered are protected
>from direct and indirect "take," which includes killing, harming, or
>harassing.  Federal agencies must consult with the Service to ensure that any
>action they authorize, fund, or carry out does not jeopardize the continued
>existence of the species.  In addition, the Service would assemble a recovery
>team to identify and implement actions to restore populations so that
>extinction is no longer a threat.
>
>The Service published the proposal to list the scaleshell in today's Federal
>Register.  The public may comment in writing until October 13, 1999. Comments
>may be directed to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Columbia Field Office, 608
>East Cherry Street, Room 200, Columbia, Missouri 65201-7712.
>
>For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish
>and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our
>HomePage at:  http://www.fws.gov/r3pao /
>
>The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency
>responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife and
>plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
>The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System
>comprised of more than 500 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small
>wetlands, and other special management areas.  It also operates 66 national
>fish hatcheries, 64 fish and wildlife management assistance offices and 78
>ecological services field stations.  The agency enforces Federal wildlife
>laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird
>populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and
>restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments
>with their conservation efforts.  It also oversees the Federal Aid program
>that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing
>and hunting equipment to state wildlife agencies.
>
>SOURCE  U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
>
>CO:  U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
>
Harry G. Lee
Suite 500
1801 Barrs St.
Jacksonville, Fl. 32204
USA   904-384-6419
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Visit the Jacksonville Shell Club Home Page at:
http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/wfrank/jacksonv.htm

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