Six Texas freshwater mussels, the “livers of the rivers,” added to endangered species list

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has declared six species of freshwater mussels found in Central Texas as endangered and another as threatened. The designation on Monday bans development or projects that could harm the species and requires a federal permit or license, unless the permit seeker works with the Fish and Wildlife Service to modify their projects to protect the endangered species. Environmental scientists refer to freshwater mussels as “the liver of the river” because they filter harmful substances like algae from bodies of water. The species have declined in recent years due to population growth and development destroying its habitat. Experts say the designation will result in cleaner rivers, streams and creeks.