TWRA Malacologist, Brittany Bajo-Walker and United States Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist, Taylor Fagin with Littlewing Pearlymussel
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) biologists held their second annual Benthic Blitz covering 123 sites from 10 watersheds within the Upper Cumberland River Basin. They included the Caney, Collins, and Calfkiller Rivers. A benthic blitz is critical for maintaining wildlife diversity and aims to fill data gaps and targets rare animals such as bottom-dwelling snails, mussels, crayfish, and fish. Healthy aquatic ecosystems should have a wide range of species.
Led by TWRA Biologist Brittany Bajo-Walker and Parker Hildreth, nearly 100 biologists representing 28 unique partners participated in this year’s blitz and represented state, federal, university, non-profit, and consulting organizations. The event allows biologists to explore new segments of river, discover new animals, and build new relationships with partnering agencies.
Benthic Blitz Discovery Highlights:
Over 74 benthic species and approximately 9,668 animals were observed
o 15 crayfish
o Seven mussels
o 46 fish identified
· Biologists located 14 species of Greatest Conservation Need, Two listed as federally endangered.
o Littlewing Pearlymussel (Pegias fabula), are extremely rare and known to exist in only two river systems. A new, robust population of Littlewing Pearlymussel will provide amazing recovery opportunities for this species.
Parker Hildreth with a native mussel.
Malacologist Bajo-Walker stated, “Exploring an aquatic region with this level of effort allows us to fill in significant data gaps within the Biodiversity Division and leads to more informed conservation and management practices. These extremely rare and cryptic animals are so incredibly important to the overall health of an ecosystem, and we are so grateful that partners are willing to loan their time to this effort.”
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.
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