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