Freshwater Mussels of the New York Metropolitan Region
and New Jersey


A Guide to their Identification, Biology 
and
Conservation
 

    


    
The Center for Biodiversity and Conservation (CBC) has developed this 
web handbook as a "short-course" to the freshwater mussels occurring 
within 75 miles of New York City and throughout New Jersey.  It is 
designed for naturalists, biologists, and resource managers working 
to conserve local freshwater ecosystems. The handbook includes a
section on mussel morphology, a photo illustrated guide to 17 species,
a key, habitat guide, glossary, bibliography of print and web resources,
and essays on freshwater mussel taxonomy, biology, ecology, threats, 
conservation, and study methods, including a guide to local regulations.
Information on this site is based on current knowledge, and is provided
in the hope of encouraging and enabling further work on our local fauna.


    
Main

    
Menu

    
 Introduction to Mussels 
overview of freshwater mussel biology and diversity
Guide to Mussel Features 
key & illustrations of features useful in identification
Key to Metro Species
a dichotomous key to the fauna
Species Accounts 
identification guide to the metro area species

    
 Conservation and Study  
status, threats and survey techniques  
Glossary 
definitions of terms used in this handbook
Bibliography 
print & web publications on freshwater mussels
Metro Home Page
return to CBC Metropolitan Programs home page



    


        
Acknowledgements



        
The handbook is a collaborative project, with contributions from various organizations
and individuals. It is based on a workshop hosted at AMNH by the Metropolitan 
Biodiversity Program and taught by Jay Cordeiro from NatureServe, and David  
Strayer of the Institute for Ecosystem Studies, and is published by the Center for  
Biodiversity and Conservation at the American Museum of Natural History.




        
Principal Author 
Jay Cordeiro, NatureServe and AMNH
NatureServe

Contributing Author
Jeanette Bowers-Altman,
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, ENSP
New Jersey Fish and Wildlife
 
Key 
Adapted by Jeanette Bowers-Altman
from the Workshop on Freshwater Bivalves in Pennsylvania
 by Arthur E. Bogan
North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences
 
Editor 
Elizabeth Cornell
 
Website and specimen photography 
Cal Snyder, CBC/AMNH

Maps
Patrick Woerner, GIS Specialist
Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, ENSP
 
Project oversight 
Elizabeth Johnson, CBC/AMNH
 
Special thanks to our reviewers 
Art Bogan, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences
Rick Dutko, New Jersey Natural Heritage Program
Betsy Ray, Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory
George Schuler, The Nature Conservancy
David Strayer, Institute of Ecosystem Studies
 
Specimens: AMNH
Thanks to the staff of the Division of Invertebrate Zoology,
American Museum of Natural History

Send your questions and comments to
biodiversity@amnh.org