CR

Quadrula couchiana

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Couch's freshwater mussel faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat degradation from dam construction and water diversions that have altered natural flow regimes in Texas river systems. Agricultural runoff and urban development have introduced pollutants and sedimentation that degrade water quality essential for filter-feeding mussels. The species' dependence on specific fish hosts for larval development makes it particularly vulnerable to declining fish populations in fragmented river habitats.

Threat summary

Habitat

Quadrula couchiana inhabits flowing waters of rivers and streams in the Rio Grande and Colorado River basins of Texas. The species requires clean, well-oxygenated water with stable substrates of sand, gravel, or mud where it can burrow and filter-feed.

FRESHWATER· major

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 Quadrula couchiana classified as Critically Endangered?
Quadrula couchiana 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 Couch's freshwater mussel faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat degradation from dam construction and water diversions that have altered natural flow regimes in Texas river systems. Agricultural runoff and urban development have introduced pollutants and sedimentation that degrade water quality essential for filter-feeding mussels. The species' dependence on specific fish hosts for larval development makes it particularly vulnerable to declining fish populations in fragmented river habitats.
Where does Quadrula couchiana live?
Quadrula couchiana 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 Quadrula couchiana?
The main threats to Quadrula couchiana 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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