Service Lists Scaleshell Mussel as Endangered Species

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced its decision to list the scaleshell mussel, a freshwater species once found in many rivers in the eastern United States, as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. A plant or animal is designated as endangered if it is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

"Nearly 75 percent of historically known river populations of scaleshells have disappeared," said Bill Hartwig, the Service