Species Profiles

The Slabside Pearlymussel is a freshwater mussel that was once found throughout the Tennessee River drainage. This species prefers large streams with abundant flow. Like other mussels, the Slabside Pearlymussel filters particles in the water to find its dinner, and eats things like algae, bacteria, and possibly viruses. This species relies on forested and vegetated banks that filter the water before it enters the stream, ensuring mussels have a healthy food supply.

Historically, you could find Anthony’s Riversnail from Knoxville, TN to Muscle Shoals, AL, however, dams have heavily segmented these populations. Today, the snail is only known from small portions of the Tennessee and Sequatchie Rivers and Limestone Creek in Alabama. The populations that remain are separated by barriers such as culverts under roads and driveways. Reducing these barriers could help riversnail populations bounce back.

The Purple Wartyback is iconic for its pearlescent purple nacre (inside of the shell) and warty exterior. Similar to other mussel species, the Purple Wartyback is vulnerable to chemical and physical changes in water. Maintaining vegetation along the streambanks and inspecting water recreation equipment between locations are key to protecting the Purple Wartyback mussel. Inspecting includes drying gear between trips, checking your boat for hitchhikers (the aquatic critter kind), and disinfecting all fishing equipment.

Known for its namesake behavior of leaping out of the water while feeding, the Skipjack Herring can be found across the nation which has made them popular with anglers. As dams were constructed throughout the Mississippi River Basin, herring spawning behavior was impeded and populations began to decline. This fish can still be caught in the Sequatchie River but they have disappeared from the Upper Mississippi River. By keeping our waterways natural and removing barriers for wildlife passage, Skipjack Herring can continue to thrive in our area.

This tiny species of freshwater snail is native to the Sequatchie River and has only been found in two spring runs flowing out of caves in the area. The Royal Marstonia relies on cool, clean water and is sensitive to changes in water quality. Excessive water withdrawal and nonpoint source pollution (fertilizer, pesticides, and sediment) threaten the survival of this species. Land management practices such as cover crops and stream bank planting can improve habitat for this freshwater snail.

This rare crayfish is found only in Tennessee and relies on stream bank habitats in Cumberland and Bledsoe counties. The removal of trees and vegetation along rivers leads to an increase of sediment in the water and habitat loss. These habitats can be restored through management practices like the establishment of Riparian Buffer Zones.

This beautiful darter is found only in the Tennessee River drainage and is easily identifiable by its golden color and bars that run down the back of its body. The Golden Darter lives in small to medium sized rivers in shallow gravely areas and eats aquatic insects such as caddisflies and mayflies. Both mayflies and caddisflies are very sensitive to changes in water quality, which puts the Golden Darter at risk of losing its primary food source when pollutants enter the water. Keeping pesticides, herbicides, and waste out of the river helps the Golden Darter to thrive.

Accurate to its namesake, this darter is found only in the Sequatchie River. It uses the four dark saddles across its back to act as camouflage against the substrate in the river. Their camouflage is inhibited by an increase of sediment in the river, but sediment runoff can be diverted from fields into retention basins.

The Laurel Dace is an endangered species that is only found on Walden Ridge, within our RCPP boundary! This fish is known for its incredible breeding colors, which include a bright red belly, yellow strip, and red around its mouth.

The Spotted Salamander is a species of Mole Salamander found all over the eastern United States. They prefer living in forested areas near still water like a pond or swamp. These amphibians have a dark body, bright yellow spots on their back, and smaller light speckles along their side. Similar to frogs, Spotted Salamanders use their sticky tongue to grab tasty snacks such as earthworms, insects, and even smaller salamanders.

The Eastern Box Turtle is a small turtle commonly found in many rivers and forests throughout Tennessee. The Eastern Box Turtle is the only turtle that can completely close itself into its shell due to a hinge on the underneath part of its shell, called a plastron. This allows the turtles to protect itself from a variety of predators, including racoons.

Have you guessed that this mussel was named based on how it looked? Like the foot of a rabbit? If so, great detective work! The shell is bumpy and might have dark green lines or spots on it. This mussel occurs throughout the Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee river drainages. Can you count the lines running lengthwise across its shell? Just like you can age a tree, you can age a mussel using these lines.

The Redline Darter is a commonly found species in the Southeast throughout the Tennessee and Cumberland River drainages. Males of this small darter gains bright red and blue coloration on its fins and neck during spawning season. They can be found in swift moving water between boulders and rocks. Redline Darters love to snack on small aquatic insects.