Pleurobema chattanoogaense
CR

Pleurobema chattanoogaense

Unknown

Photo: (c) Femorale, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

Overview

Pleurobema chattanoogaense, the painted clubshell, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.

The Pleurobema chattanoogaense faces severe threats from habitat degradation caused by dam construction and river channelization throughout the Tennessee River system. Water quality deterioration from agricultural runoff, urban development, and industrial pollution has significantly impacted the species' filter-feeding capabilities and reproductive success. Sedimentation from land-use changes has altered the riverbed substrate essential for this mussel's burrowing behavior and juvenile recruitment.

Threat summary

Habitat

This freshwater mussel inhabits medium to large rivers with moderate to swift currents, typically found in gravel, sand, and cobble substrates. It requires well-oxygenated waters and stable riverbeds in the Tennessee River drainage system of southeastern United States.

Other threatened species in UNIONIDAE

VU

Brazzaea anceyi

Unknown
Lampsilis higginsiiEN

Lampsilis higginsii

Unknown
CR

Recovery Pearly Mussel

Elliptio nigella

Declining
EN

Triangle Pigtoe

Fusconaia lananensis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pleurobema chattanoogaense classified as Critically Endangered?
Pleurobema chattanoogaense 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. The Pleurobema chattanoogaense faces severe threats from habitat degradation caused by dam construction and river channelization throughout the Tennessee River system. Water quality deterioration from agricultural runoff, urban development, and industrial pollution has significantly impacted the species' filter-feeding capabilities and reproductive success. Sedimentation from land-use changes has altered the riverbed substrate essential for this mussel's burrowing behavior and juvenile recruitment.
Where does Pleurobema chattanoogaense live?
Pleurobema chattanoogaense occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Pleurobema chattanoogaense?
The main threats to Pleurobema chattanoogaense 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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