Margaritifera search across the southeast

Alabama Pearl shell mussels (Margaritifera marrianae)

Louisiana Pearl shell mussels (Margaritifera hembeli)

Carla and Brian traveled across southern Alabama and central Louisiana visiting Margaritifera localities with Dr. Jurgen Geist (Technische Universität München) and Dr. Paul Johnson (Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center) the past several days. Amidst snakes and a tropical storm we were able to see several mussels and sample their habitat.