Chapter 3 North Carolina Species
The report discusses the distribution of aquatic species, identifies impacts on aquatic resources and water quality, identifies cooperative opportunities for citizens, businesses, and government agencies, and identifies future data needs for aquatic resources (SAMAB 1996b) . The NC Museum of Natural Sciences hosts a collection of aquatic invertebrate specimens focused on mollusks, especially freshwater bivalves. Collection composition is 83% freshwater species (mussels, fingernail clams, and snails), 10% marine species, and 7% terrestrial snails. The Invertebrates Collection is worldwide in scope, with emphasis on localities in the eastern United States. The holdings comprise collections acquired from state agencies (e.g. NCWRC), the Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS), and a private collection from Herbert D. Athearn of Tennessee, which contained over 23,000 lots of freshwater mollusks. The collection contains specimens from over 100 countries and currently contains over 2.3 million specimens (NCMNS 2025) . Research by Graf and Cumings (2007, 2021) was published in a checklist of freshwater mussel species and genera in the order Unionoida. The checklist represents a catalogue compiled from global records of nominal species-, genus-, and family-group level taxa (Graf and Cumings 2021) . Their data were synthesized and are available for public access through the MUSSEL Project Database online at http://mussel-project.net. 3.6.8 Recommendations In general, protection and restoration of natural community composition and function and protection of surrounding natural areas are effective measures to ensure suitable habitats are available for mussels. Measures that protect a large and diverse pool of populations are the best way to improve species survival from future stresses and support adaptation to changing climate conditions. Recommendations specific to aquatic habitats as well as basin-specific recommendations are provided in Chapter 4 Habitats, Sections 4.2 and 4.5 (respectively).
Implement conservation measures and recommendations in protected species conservation plans.
• State protected species conservation plans are available online https://www.ncwildlife.gov/wildlife-habitat/species-conservation-plans.
• Federal protected species recovery plans are available online https://www.fws.gov/program/recovery/recovery-plans.
Implementation of recommendations for surveys, monitoring, and research should follow best practices and protocols established by recognized authorities (see Chapter 6 for a list of protocols). The following recommendations should be considered appropriate to implement for freshwater mussel species.
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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