Purple cat’s paw purlymussels or three horned wartybacks? 🧐 Good thing biologists from Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge keep us informed!
Late summer is prime time to dive into freshwater mussel surveys, when the Ohio River is warmest and has the best visibility- a whopping 6 feet! Identifying markers help biologist best monitor endangered mussels, like the purple cat’s paw purlymussels. Freshwater mussels play a vital role in removing nutrients, bacteria, algae and detritus which in tern makes water cleaner for us all.