Five New Mussel Species Discovered in US Rivers

Researchers from Shedd Aquarium, Arkansas State University, and the US Geological Survey have identified five new species of freshwater mussels in rivers across the southern United States. The discovery was made after 20 years of studying mussel DNA in rivers from Missouri to Texas. The new species are rare and confined to single river basins, with each major river basin holding its own genetic lineage. The team used genetic analysis and compared over 440 shell outlines to make the discovery. The new species have been named after their locations, including the Mobile hickorynut, which is found in Alabama's Sipsey River.