Zara Scientists Permitted for Texas Mussel Surveys

In 2009, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department listed 15 species of freshwater mussels in the family Unionidae as threatened. Eleven of those species have also been proposed for federal listing, prompting the need for additional scientific studies in areas where mussel species are known to occur, or historically have occurred in Texas.

Dr. Jean Krejca was issued TPWD permit SPR-1010-169 authorizing Zara scientists to perform scientific research on mussels in Texas. Zara has multiple scientists on staff who are trained SCUBA divers with mussel survey experience. Recently we have carried out mussel surveys for highway projects where bridge upgrades are planned.

Methods for presence/absence surveys include complete searches of stream bottoms by "noodling" through the submerged substrate, doing area-limited searches using quadrats, and performing those same surveys on SCUBA while deployed from shore, kayak, or platform boat.

We collaborate with Texas mussel specialists including Bob Howells and Neil Ford. For more information on conducting mussel surveys, please contact us at 512.291.4555 or email usThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .