Epioblasma othcaloogensis

Epioblasma othcaloogensis
Conservation status
Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Extinct (ESA)[2][3][4]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Bivalvia
Order:	Unionida
Family:	Unionidae
Genus:	Epioblasma
Species:	E. othcaloogensis
Binomial name
Epioblasma othcaloogensis (I. Lea, 1857)
Synonyms
Dysnomia othcaloogensis I. Lea, 1857

Epioblasma othcaloogensis, the southern acornshell or southern acorn riffle shell, was a species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae. It was only known from the Coosa and Cahaba Rivers of the southeastern United States.^[5]

This species has been heavily impacted by dam construction, dredging, and water pollution. The last living individual was seen in 1974, and subsequent surveys have failed to locate any living populations.^[6] Some scientists believe it is now extinct.^[7][8] The US Fish and Wildlife Service delisted the species from the Endangered Species Act effective November 16, 2023, citing extinction.^[4][9]

It appears to be closely related to the critically endangered Epioblasma penita.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. Cummings, K.; Cordeiro, J. (2012). "Epioblasma othcaloogensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T7877A3144015. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T7877A3144015.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
2. "Southern acornshell (Epioblasma othcaloogensis)". Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
3. 58 FR 14330
4. 88 FR 71644
5. E. othcaloogensis. Auburn Invertebrate Collection.
6. NatureServe (3 November 2023). "Epioblasma othcaloogensis". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
7. USFWS. 11 Southeastern mussels 5-year review. April 2008.
8. "U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Delisting 23 Species from Endangered Species Act Due to Extinction". U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. September 29, 2021. Retrieved 2021-09-29.
9. "21 Species Delisted from the Endangered Species Act due to Extinction | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service". FWS.gov. 2023-10-16. Retrieved 2023-10-17.