Freshwater Pearl Mussel

The freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) is a critically endangered freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the Margaritiferidae family.

Although the term "freshwater pearl mussel" is commonly used for this species, other freshwater mussel species also produce pearls, and others can also be utilized to obtain mother of pearl. The majority of produced pearls currently originate from Hyriopsis species in Asia or Amblema species in North America, both members of the related Unionidae family; pearls may also be found in Unio species.

Margaritifera's shell features a thick nacre on the inside (the inner mother of the pearl layer of the shell). This species may produce fine-quality pearls and was previously used in the quest for pearls. According to the World Wildlife Fund, the oldest known freshwater pearl mussel was 280 years old (WWF). Because of their sluggish metabolism, these invertebrates live for a long time.

Age: 250+ years old