Pleurobema oviforme
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleurobema_oviforme
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
The Tennessee Clubshell faces severe population declines primarily due to dam construction and river channelization that have altered natural flow regimes and sediment transport patterns essential for its survival. Water quality degradation from agricultural runoff and urban development has reduced oxygen levels and increased sedimentation in its remaining habitat. The species' dependence on specific fish hosts for larval development makes it particularly vulnerable to declining fish populations caused by habitat fragmentation and pollution.
Habitat
The Tennessee Clubshell inhabits medium to large rivers with stable gravel and sand substrates, typically in areas with moderate to swift currents. It requires clean, well-oxygenated water and is found buried in sediments of river bottoms in the Tennessee and Cumberland River systems.
