CR

Hemistena lata

Unknown

Overview

The cracking pearlymussel is an endangered species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae.

Hemistena lata faces severe population decline primarily due to dam construction and river regulation throughout the Yangtze River system, which has fragmented its habitat and altered natural flow regimes essential for spawning. Overfishing and illegal harvesting have further reduced already diminished populations, while water pollution from industrial and agricultural runoff degrades the water quality in its remaining habitat areas.

Threat summary

Habitat

Hemistena lata inhabits the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River system in China, preferring deep river channels with strong currents and rocky or sandy substrates. This anadromous fish requires access to both freshwater river systems for spawning and feeding areas in estuarine environments.

FRESHWATER· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Hemistena lata classified as Critically Endangered?
Hemistena lata is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Hemistena lata faces severe population decline primarily due to dam construction and river regulation throughout the Yangtze River system, which has fragmented its habitat and altered natural flow regimes essential for spawning. Overfishing and illegal harvesting have further reduced already diminished populations, while water pollution from industrial and agricultural runoff degrades the water quality in its remaining habitat areas.
Where does Hemistena lata live?
Hemistena lata occurs in Brazil, and United States. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Hemistena lata?
The main threats to Hemistena lata are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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