Pleurobema plenum
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
The rough pigtoe mussel faces severe population declines primarily due to dam construction and river channelization that have altered natural flow regimes and sediment transport in the Tennessee and Cumberland river systems. Water quality degradation from agricultural runoff, urban development, and industrial discharge has further compromised the species' filter-feeding capabilities and reproductive success. The mussel's dependence on specific fish hosts for larval development makes it particularly vulnerable to declining fish populations caused by habitat fragmentation.
Habitat
Pleurobema plenum inhabits medium to large rivers with moderate to swift currents, typically found in gravel, sand, and cobble substrates. The species historically occurred in the Tennessee and Cumberland river systems, preferring areas with stable substrates and good water quality that support diverse fish communities essential for its reproductive cycle.
