Mussels Research

FRESHWATER MUSSELS RESEARCH. FWS biologists inspect freshwater mussels at the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge in West Virginia. Freshwater mussels are filter feeders, taking their nutrients directly from the current where they are located, and because they are so sensitive to the quality of the water, they are an important indicator of the health of the rivers and streams where they live. Almost 70% of the nation’s 297 native mussel species are endangered, threatened, or potentially warrant federal protection. The Service is conducting a variety of mussel conservation efforts around the country.