Dear James Hancock,
Executive Producer of
The Cajun Connection

I am writing this report to emphasize the importance of this specie and to inform you of its commercial potential of the Louisiana Pearlshell. Let’s begin with the complete classification of this mussel like creature:

Kingdom: Animal
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Bivalvia
Order: Unionoida
Family: Unionidae
Genus: Margaritifera
Species: Hembeli

The preferred habitat of this animal is stable sand and gravel in small clear flowing streams. Larger shells tolerate shifting sand better than those of a small size. The Louisiana Pearlshell has had to adapt too many changes in the environment in order to survive the marshy terrain of the State of Louisiana. These adaptations include increased resistance to headwater systems and slightly polluted areas. Also occurring over the last few decades, biologists have seen a dramatic increase in the size of this specie. Perhaps this is what is leading to the increased population of the Louisiana Pearlshell.
Through selective breeding practices of the Louisiana Pearlshell I believe we can increase the overall size of this mussel with would in turn increase its potential to survive, eventually exponentially increasing the population of and ultimately bringing this Louisiana delicacy back to our tables.
Being on to the top seafood wholesalers in America, we are continually looking for ways to stay ahead of the competition. Not only would we be able to use Louisiana Pearlshell for our commercial retail industry but we would also be able to help increase the current population to remove this animal for the threatened species list. Being able to lay claims to this would give us a great self image also shed light on our environmental issues.
In my opinion, I feel this experiment and potential population boost of the Louisiana Pearlshell will do wonders for our company and the species itself. Think of it as helping ourselves while saving the planet!!!

Sincerely yours,
W. K. Fitzpatrick
Executive Director of
Biological Research






References:
LOUISIANA PEARLSHELL
http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/SpeciesReport.do?spcode=F02C
Downloaded on June 24, 2007.


Wildlife Preservation Society
http://branches.wildlife.org.au/bayside/default.html
Downloaded on June 24, 2007


Taxonomy Species PEARLSHELL, LOUISIANA
http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/WWW/esis/lists/e404026.htm
Downloaded on June 24, 2007

Rare Animals of Louisiana
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/pdfs/experience/naturalheritage/rareanimal/louisianapearlshell.pdf
Downloaded on June 24, 2007


U.S. Department of Transportation (Federal Highway Administration)
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/wildlifeprotection/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPhotos&articleID=61

Adopt-a-Species

Good day, and welcome to The Cajun Connection. I am Keith Fitzpatrick and today we will take an in-depth look into the world of the Louisiana Pearlshell., more commonly, this invertebrate is referred to as Margaritifera hembeli in the world of Biology.

The Louisiana pearlshell is a medium sized freshwater mussel with an oblong dark brown shell. The pearlshell belongs to the Aquatic Molluscs category. A mussel is classified in the Animalia kingdom and the Eukarya domain.

Image source: Louisiana Department of Transportation

Like most other freshwater mussels, the Louisiana pearlshell survives by filtering food partials from the water. The specific food particles of this particular mussel are unknown, but most likely feeds on detritus, diatoms, phytoplankton and zooplankton.

The Louisiana pearlshell is found only in river drainage areas in the state of Louisiana. Pearlshells prefer shallow, flowing waters with sand and or gravel deposits. Most likely, they can be found in small creeks near consolidated grovel outcrops. They are most prominently found in small streams with elevated conductivity and water hardness. Until recent years, it could only be found in the Bayou Boeuf in Rapides Parish, Louisiana. In the early 1990’s, a growing population of pearlshells were discovered to exist in the Red River drainage in Gran Parish.

The Louisiana pearlshell was placed on the endangered species list in February of 1988. Upon the discovery of the Red River population, the specie has been reclassified from an endangered to a threatened species.

Water quality and pollution are the main factors affecting this specie. Pollution in our air which causes polluted rainfall which in turn pollutes our rivers and streams are the main cause for the decrease in population of this invertebrate. Other factors effecting this animal are beaver dams because they change the water flow in the streams resulting in increased sedimentation.

Researchers are interested in this specie because of its lifespan of 75 years. They are interested in learning about its reproduction habits and longevity. Maybe one day they will find a similarity between our aging process and that of the Louisiana Pearlshell. Time is ticking and there are animals to save. Thank you for joining in on another edition of The Cajun Connection until next time as always "Laisse le bon temps rouler" Let the good times roll.

References:

LOUISIANA PEARLSHELL

http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/SpeciesReport.do?spcode=F02C

Downloaded on June 9, 2007.

Wildlife Preservation Society

http://branches.wildlife.org.au/bayside/default.html

Downloaded on June 9, 2007

Taxonomy Species PEARLSHELL, LOUISIANA

http://fwie.fw.vt.edu/WWW/esis/lists/e404026.htm

Downloaded on June 9, 2007

Rare Animals of Louisiana

http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/pdfs/experience/naturalheritage/rareanimal/louisianapearlshell.pdf

Downloaded on June 9, 2007

U.S. Department of Transportation (Federal Highway Administration)

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/wildlifeprotection/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPhotos&articleID=61

Downloaded on June 9, 2007