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:

1026

Current Number of Freshwater Mussel Genera:

225

Data updated: Mon 28 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 817 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 319 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 740 162 760 167 780 171 800 176 820 180 840 184 860 189 880 193 900 197 920 202 940 206 960 211 980 215 1000 219 1020 224 1040 228 Date Number of Valid Species Number of Valid Genera