Texas Fawnsfoot
Texas Fawnsfoot mussel(Truncilla macrodon)- Fresh water mussels are most endangered group of organisms in the United States. Mussels are also an indicator species of water quality and play an important role in rivers by filtering water constantly, 15 gallons/day, as they breathe and feed. They improve water quality by filtering out bacteria, algae and pollutants, but in doing so they accumulate contaminants in their bodies.
These mussels are culturally significant because they are harvested by Texas Native Americans for use as food, jewelry and tools.