A NEW population of critically endangered freshwater pearl mussels has been discovered in a Scottish river.
Kieran Leigh-Moy, a graduate on the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) placement scheme, found the creatures unexpectedly while looking for a site where the species could be reintroduced.
Freshwater pearl mussels can live up to 280 years but the species is critically endangered as a large proportion of the populations across Europe have not been breeding successfully for several decades.
The exact location of the newly discovered site, on a tributary of the River Spey, is being kept
secret to protect the freshwater pearls mussels from potential illegal harvesting.
Leigh-Moy said: “I’d already identified this river as potentially having good quality habitat so was visiting the site to conduct more in-depth surveys to see if it would be a suitable site for a reintroduction but was stunned to find juvenile freshwater pearl mussels already there.
“It’s really rare to find a new population of these mussels and especially one that is breeding successfully, so it was a really exciting moment.
“What’s particularly significant is that the
juvenile mussels found were many miles away from the nearest known breeding population and that’s good news because it could help to prevent further range contraction of the species.”
Leigh-Moy has been working on a project to understand why freshwater pearl mussels in the river were not breeding and to locate sites where they could be reintroduced. It is hoped the approach he has developed can be used to help prioritise conservation efforts and find good habitats for freshwater pearl mussels, as well as mitigate the shrinking range of the species in the river.
Giles Brockman, from Forestry and Land Scotland, said: “This is really exciting news ... this is a strong indication that actions to protect water courses are effective and can help to sustain and nurture wildlife and rare species.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel