Researchers with DNR’s Wildlife Conservation Section and the University of Georgia recently discovered another federally endangered Altamaha spinymussel in the lower Ocmulgee River.
That makes two spinies documented in the same stretch of the river near Jacksonville, Ga., since summer.
The Elliptio spinosa found in July (“Rare find spurs hope“) was the first live one seen in 15 years. The second spinymussel — spotted, tagged and released Nov. 4 about 50 yards downriver — will bolster plans to study and save this barbed bivalve that had almost vanished from the Altamaha River and its major tributaries, the only known home for Altamaha spinymussels.
Sizing and tagging for release the second spinymussel from the lower Ocmulgee. (Laura Wenk/GaDNR)
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