The MUSSEL Project Database Dashboard

The MUSSELpdb-db is a quick summary of the current state of freshwater mussel species & genus richness, according to the MUSSEL Project Database (MUSSELpdb).

Current Number of Freshwater Mussel Species:

1021

Current Number of Freshwater Mussel Genera:

224

Data updated: Thu 03 Sep 2026

Freshwater Mussel Species Richness by Family

freshwater mussel species richness by family 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 number of species UNIONIDAE 812 MARGARITIFERIDAE 16 HYRIIDAE 95 MYCETOPODIDAE 55 IRIDINIDAE 39 ETHERIIDAE 4

Click here for a detailed summary of species and genus richness by taxonomy.

Freshwater Mussel Species Richness by Region

freshwater mussel species richness by region 0 100 200 300 number of species NORTH AMERICA 314 CENTRAL AMERICA 66 SOUTH AMERICA 119 AFROTROPICS 81 NORTH EURASIA 47 EAST ASIA 380 AUSTRALASIA 31

Click here for a detailed summary of species richness and endemism by geography.

Changes in the Numbers of Freshwater Mussel Species & Genera

Changes in the numbers of freshwater mussel species and genera over time 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 740 161 760 166 780 170 800 175 820 179 840 183 860 188 880 192 900 196 920 201 940 205 960 210 980 214 1000 218 1020 223 1040 227 Date Number of Valid Species Number of Valid Genera