Pleurobema gibberum
CR

Pleurobema gibberum

Unknown

Photo: Dick Biggins, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, no known copyright restrictions (public domain)

Overview

The Cumberland pigtoe is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.

Pleurobema gibberum faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation from dam construction and river channelization throughout its historic range in the Tennessee and Cumberland river systems. Water quality deterioration from agricultural runoff, urban development, and industrial pollution has further compromised the species' survival by reducing oxygen levels and increasing sedimentation. The mussel's dependence on specific fish hosts for larval development makes it particularly vulnerable to declining fish populations caused by habitat fragmentation.

Threat summary

Habitat

This freshwater mussel inhabits medium to large rivers with stable gravel and sand substrates in the Tennessee and Cumberland river basins. It requires well-oxygenated waters with moderate to swift currents and depends on clean, sediment-free conditions for filter feeding and reproduction.

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 gibberum classified as Critically Endangered?
Pleurobema gibberum 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. Pleurobema gibberum faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation from dam construction and river channelization throughout its historic range in the Tennessee and Cumberland river systems. Water quality deterioration from agricultural runoff, urban development, and industrial pollution has further compromised the species' survival by reducing oxygen levels and increasing sedimentation. The mussel's dependence on specific fish hosts for larval development makes it particularly vulnerable to declining fish populations caused by habitat fragmentation.
Where does Pleurobema gibberum live?
Pleurobema gibberum 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 gibberum?
The main threats to Pleurobema gibberum 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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