Species Profile
Environmental Conservation Online System

Cumberlandian combshell (Epioblasma brevidens)

Kingdom: Animalia
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Unionoida
Family: Unionidae

Listing Status:    and  

Population detail

The FWS is currently monitoring the following populations of the Cumberlandian combshell 

Map of Species occurrence

For the best experience, make sure that javascript is enabled and that you have the Adobe Flash Player installed Click here to download and install the Flash Player

Click here to see static map image

Map Image Map of Species occurrence Map of Species occurrence
Map of Species occurrence Map of Species occurrence

This map represents our best available information about where a species is currently known to or or is believed to occur; however, it should NOT be used as an official species list for Section 7 Consultation purposes. To obtain an official species list for this purpose, please visit the Information, Planning, and Conservation (IPaC) System (click here: http://ecos.fws.gov/ipac)

  • Population location: Entire Range; Except where listed as Experimental Populations
    Listing status:  Endangered
  • Population location: U.S.A. (AL;The free-flowing reach of the Tennessee R. from the base of Wilson Dam downstream to the backwaters of Pickwick Reservoir [about 12 RM (19 km)] and the lower 5 RM [8 km] of all tributaries to this reach in Colbert and Lauderdale Cos., see 17.85(a))
    Listing status:  Experimental Population, Non-Essential
  • Population location: U.S.A. (TN - specified portions of the French Broad and Holston Rivers; see 17.85(b)(1))
    Listing status:  Experimental Population, Non-Essential
Current Listing Status Summary
Status Date Listed Lead Region Where Listed
01/10/1997 Southeast Region (Region 4) Entire Range; Except where listed as Experimental Populations
06/14/2001 Southeast Region (Region 4) AL; Free-Flowing Reach of the Tennessee River below the Wilson Dam, Colbert and Lauderdale Counties, AL
10/15/2007 Southeast Region (Region 4) U.S.A. (TN - specified portions of the French Broad and Holston Rivers; see 17.85(b)(1))

» Federal Register Documents

Most Recent Federal Register Documents (Showing 5 of 16: view all)
Date Citation Page Title
09/13/2007 72 FR 52434 52461 Establishment of Nonessential Experimental Population Status for 15 Freshwater Mussels, 1 Freshwater Snail, and 5 Fishes in the Lower French Broad River and in the Lower Holston River, Tennessee
06/13/2006 71 FR 34196 34230 Establishment of Nonessential Experimental Population Status for 15 Freshwater Mussels, 1 Freshwater Snail, and 5 Fishes in the Lower French Broad River and in the Lower Holston River, Tennessee; Proposed Rule
08/31/2004 69 FR 53136 53180 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for Five Endangered Mussels in the Tennessee and Cumberland River Basins
05/24/2004 69 FR 29569 29570 Availability of the Recovery Plan for Five Freshwater Mussels-- Cumberland Elktoe (Alasmidonta atropurpurea), Oyster Mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis), Cumberlandian Combshell (Epioblasma brevidens), Purple Bean (Villosa perpurpurea), and Rough Rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica strigillata)
06/03/2003 68 FR 33233 33282 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for Five Endangered Mussels in the Tennessee and Cumberland River Basins
Most Recent Special Rule Publications (Showing 2 of 2)
Date Citation Page Title
06/14/2001 66 FR 32250 32264 ETWP; Establishment of Nonessential Experimental Population Status for 16 Freshwater Mussels and 1 Freshwater Snail (Anthony's Riversnail) in the Free-Flowing Reach of the Tennessee River below the Wilson Dam, Colbert and Lauderdale Counties, AL
05/27/1999 64 FR 28779 28791 ETWP; Proposed Establishement of Nonessential Experimental Population Status for Sixteen Freshwater Mussels (Alabama

» Recovery

Recovery Plan Information Search
Current Recovery Plan(s)
Date Title Plan Action Status Plan Status
05/24/2004 Cumberland and Tennessee River Mussels (5 spp.) View Implementation Progress Final
Other Recovery Documents (Showing 2 of 2)
Date Citation Page Title Document Type
05/24/2004 69 FR 29569 29570 Availability of the Recovery Plan for Five Freshwater Mussels-- Cumberland Elktoe (Alasmidonta atropurpurea), Oyster Mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis), Cumberlandian Combshell (Epioblasma brevidens), Purple Bean (Villosa perpurpurea), and Rough Rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica strigillata)
  • Notice Final Recovery Plan Availability
    • 04/22/2003 68 FR 19844 19845 Notice of Availability of an Agency Draft Recovery Plan for Five Freshwater Mussels--Cumberland Elktoe (Alasmidonta atropurpurea), Oyster Mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis), Cumberlandian Combshell (Epioblasma brevidens), Purple Bean (Villosa perpurpurea), and Rough Rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica strigillata)--for Review and Comment
  • Notice Draft Recovery Plan Availability
    • Five Year Review
    Date Title
    09/19/2007 Cumberlandian Combshell 5-Year Review

    » Critical Habitat

    Current Critical Habitat Documents (Showing 2 of 2)
    Date Citation Page Title Document Type Status
    08/31/2004 69 FR 53136 53180 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for Five Endangered Mussels in the Tennessee and Cumberland River Basins Final Rule Final designated
    06/03/2003 68 FR 33233 33282 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for Five Endangered Mussels in the Tennessee and Cumberland River Basins Proposed Rule Not Required

    To learn more about critical habitat please see http://criticalhabitat.fws.gov

    » Conservation Plans

    No conservation plans have been created for Cumberlandian combshell

    » Petitions

    No petition findings have been published for the Cumberlandian combshell.

    » Life History

    No Life History information has been entered into this system for this species.

    » Other Resources

    NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.

    ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.

    Last updated: June 20, 2013