Cumberland bean pearly mussel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cumberland bean pearly mussel |
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| Genus: |
Villosa
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| Species: |
trabalis
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The Cumberland bean pearly mussel (also known as Cumberland bean or purple bean) is a special type of freshwater mussel. It's an aquatic bivalve mollusk, which means it's a soft-bodied animal with a two-part shell, like a clam. It belongs to the family Unionidae.
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About the Cumberland Bean Pearly Mussel
What is a Mussel?
Mussels are amazing creatures that live in water. They are a kind of mollusk, which is a group of animals that includes snails and octopuses. Mussels have a hard outer shell made of two halves, called a bivalve. They use their shells to protect their soft bodies inside.
Where Does It Live?
The Cumberland bean pearly mussel is found only in the United States. This is called being endemic. You can find it in parts of Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Sadly, it has likely disappeared from Alabama and possibly from North Carolina and Georgia.
These mussels like to live in riffles. Riffles are shallow, fast-flowing parts of streams or rivers where the water tumbles over rocks. This habitat is very important for them.
Why is the Cumberland Bean Pearly Mussel Endangered?
The biggest danger to the Cumberland bean pearly mussel is habitat loss. This means the places where they live are being destroyed or changed. When rivers are polluted, or their natural flow is changed by dams or development, these mussels lose their homes.
Protecting This Special Mussel
Because it is in danger, the Cumberland bean pearly mussel is a federally listed endangered species. This means the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officially recognized it as needing protection in 1976.
It is also protected by an international agreement called the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This agreement helps stop the illegal trade of endangered animals and plants around the world. These protections are important steps to help save this unique mussel for future generations.
