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The freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) is an endangered species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusc in the family Margaritiferidae.. Although the name "freshwater pearl mussel" is often used for this species, other freshwater mussel species (e.g. Margaritifera auricularia) can also create pearls and some can also be used as a source of mother of pearl.
Freshwater Biological Association, based in Windermere - have successfully grown baby pearl mussel to seed rivers in the United Kingdom [129] Kielder Salmon Centre, Kielder - the largest salmon hatchery in England. Has also successfully bred freshwater pearl mussel for re-stocking the River North Tyne [130] [131]
This mussel produced a high volume of low-quality pearls that came to be known as "raisin pearls" in the 1970s and 1980s. More than a decade ago the freshwater pearl industry of China shifted production from the cockscomb pearl mussel to the triangle shell mussel (Hyriopsis cumingii). The triangle shell produced fewer pearls, accepting only 12 ...
In contrast, one of the largest species of freshwater bivalves is the swan mussel from the family Unionidae; it can grow to a length of 20 cm (7.9 in), and usually lives in lakes or slow-flowing rivers. Freshwater pearl mussels are economically important as a source of pearls and mother of pearl. While some species are short-lived, others can ...
A formal freshwater mussel fishing industry was established in the mid-1850s to take advantage of this natural resource. [17] The "pearl rush" to find freshwater pearls became so intense in some rivers that millions of freshwater mussels were killed in a few years. In some rivers and streams entire freshwater mussel beds were completely eliminated.
The Ehen is home to the Ennerdale black pearl, a rare black pearl formed in freshwater pearl mussels. [6] It is the only river in England to be part of the project "Pearls in Peril", funded by the European Union's LIFE + NATURE Programme. The project aims to conserve the species at 21 sites in the UK. [7]
The Ennerdale black pearl is a rare black pearl formed in freshwater pearl mussels found on stretches of the Ehen and Irt rivers in the English county of Cumbria. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] The pearls were probably known as far back as Roman times .
Margaritifera margaritifera (Linnaeus, 1758) — Freshwater pearl mussel (includes Margaritifera margaritifera durrovensis Phillips, 1928) Margaritifera marrianae R. I. Johnson, 1983; The following fossil species are known from the mid-Cretaceous of Mongolia, being formerly classified in the genus Unio: [2] †Margaritifera elongata (Martinson ...