Introduction of Freshwater pearl mussel

The freshwater pearl mussel, scientific name Margaritifera margaritifera, is an endangered species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Margaritiferidae, the freshwater pearl mussels, and they are used to produce Freshwater cultured pearls.
Appearance

The interior of the shell of this species has thick nacre. The species is capable of making fine quality pearls, therefore it was historically exploited in the search for pearls from wild sources.

The shell of Freshwater pearl mussel is very thick and heavy, elongate, oval and shaped like a "kidney" [compare with the Thick shelled river mussel]. Shell reaching a total length of 10 - 15 cm and a height of 5 – 7.5 cm. The color of Freshwater pearl mussel is dark brown-black, to blue and black. The Freshwater pearl mussel has got hinge-plate with anterior lateral and cardinal teeth, one in the left valve and two in the right valve. These injuries are often of yellow color caused by keratin. There is a possible risk of confusion between the Thick shelled river mussel and the Freshwater pearl mussel. The difference in the shape of the hinge-plate is a distinct feature when separating the two species.
Life History

The freshwater pearl mussel is one of the longest-lived invertebrates known, and individuals can survive for over 100 years. The Freshwater pearl mussels live buried or partly buried in coarse sand and fine gravel in clean, fast-flowing and unpolluted rivers and streams. They inhale water through their exposed siphons to filter out minute organic particles on which they feed. Where the species was formerly abundant, it is possible that this filtration acted to clarify river water to the benefit of other species.
Status

Today in waters easily accessible to human, almost no wild Freshwater pearl mussels are found in rivers or streams any more. A further problem is the acidification of the water because of acid rain.
Rehabilitation attempts must ensure that water quality is high and that healthy populations of young salmonid fishes are present to provide potential hosts. In Germany and UK, sewage effluent and farm drainage diversion has been used to protect one abundant stock. Translocation of adults of Freshwater pearl mussel doesn’t show to be effective and anyway would reduce the donor stocks. The best strategy is to try to protect existing adults from further fishing and to ensure optimum habitat conditions for the Freshwater pearl mussel.
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