The Thursday Channel: Mussels of Ohio

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation has this to say about freshwater mussels:

"Like pollinators, freshwater mussels provide vital services that underpin entire ecosystems, but unlike butterflies and bumblebees, these animals are not showy. In fact, they aren’t often even noticeable, hidden below the water’s surface and tucked in among the rocks, mud, or sand. But below the surface, these creatures are far more fascinating than a first glance might suggest. Even though only a fraction of one percent of Earth’s water is freshwater located in rivers and lakes, it is arguably our greatest natural resource. Freshwater mussels support other species that enrich our rivers and lakes and improve water quality by filtering gallons of water each day." -- https://xerces.org/endangered-species/freshwater-mussels/about

Our presentation on this special creatures will be given by author-zoologist, Michael A. Hoggarth, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Department of Biology and Earth Science, Otterbein University, and co-author of The Freshwater Mussels of Ohio, published by Ohio State University Press.

Sponsored by the Friends of Athens County Libraries.