How are mussels distributed?
The diversity of freshwater mussels in the United States is unmatched. Of the estimated 1,000 species worldwide, the U.S. historically contained 304, about 1/3rd of the total world’s fauna. In comparison to other countries and continents like Africa with 96 species, China with 60 species, and Europe with a paltry 12 species, the wealth of the U.S. becomes truly impressive. The lion’s share of this diversity is found in the southeastern drainages of the Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland, and Mobile rivers. One of the most diverse drainages, the Tennessee contains 102 species, nearly 1/3rd of the country’s fauna! Virginia becomes part of the equation because the Tennessee River headwaters are within the southwestern region of the state. Virginia’s portion of the Tennessee River drainage includes the Powell, Clinch, and Forks of the Holston (North, Middle, and South) rivers. Within these rivers, there are over 45 mussel species, several of which are found nowhere else but the upper Tennessee dr
