Balcones Spike (Fusconaia iheringi) | State & Federally Endangered Mollusk
Balcones Spike is an endangered freshwater mussel found in spring-fed streams and rivers of Central Texas. Of the 52 freshwater mussel species in Texas, 25% are found nowhere else in the world—including the Balcones Spike. Like other mussels, it has a unique reproductive cycle that relies on host fish to transport its parasitic larvae, known as glochidia. These larvae attach to the gills or fins of fish, where they develop before detaching and settling into the riverbed as juvenile mussels. This process aids their dispersal and helps sustain mussel populations in rivers and streams. Unfortunately, the Balcones Spike faces serious threats from habitat loss and pollution. Protecting this species and others is essential to preserving Texas’ freshwater ecosystems.
5% of the profits of any sale supports Endangered & Threatened Species.
©Juliet Whitsett |Social: @juliet_whitsett_art Purchase prints: HERE
Information generously provided by:
BIODIVERSITY OF TEXAS SERIES:
With approximately 90 state and federal endangered species and 140 threatened species in Texas, Whitsett’s work underscores the urgency of conservation while emphasizing that protection is still possible.
Through the process of developing species-derived color palettes sampled from crowd-sourced images, Whitsett creates original artworks that draw inspiration from these distinctive palettes, as well as the lives and forms of the rarest and most at-risk. Collaborating closely with scientists and leading experts, she continually seeks to deepen her understanding of these species, contributing to both environmental education and conservation.
Juliet Whitsett is an Austin-based artist and environmental advocate specializing in biodiversity, ecological storytelling, and public engagement. Through research-driven art, she makes scientific knowledge accessible, inspiring awareness and action for the natural world.
SOURCES:
Personal communication with Charles Randklev, PhD
https://mussels.nri.tamu.edu/
https://brazos.org/about-us/environmental/species/species-of-interest/endangered-species/balcones-spike