Species Profile
Environmental Conservation Online System

Oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis)

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

Listing Status:    and  

Population detail

The FWS is currently monitoring the following populations of the Oyster mussel 

  • 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 52433 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 34195 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

    • » 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 Active
    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 Oyster mussel

    » Petitions

    No petition findings have been published for the Oyster mussel.

    » 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: November 21, 2009