State & Federally Endangered Mollusk
The Texas Pimpleback is a rare freshwater mussel found in the spring-fed rivers and streams of the Colorado River basin in Texas. These mussels belong to an ancient group of aquatic animals that evolved from marine mollusks over 400 million years ago. As filter feeders, Texas Pimpleback plays a curial role in protecting water quality, providing habitat for aquatic insects and small organisms, and serving as a food source for fish, birds, and mammals. Their reproductive cycle is equally fascinating as this species relies on a host fish to develop and transport its larvae (called glochidia) before transforming into juvenile mussels and settling in riverbeds. Sadly, the Texas Pimpleback is one of the most imperiled mussels in Texas, threatened by habitat degradation and environmental changes.
5% of the profits of any sale supports Endangered & Threatened Species.
©Juliet Whitsett |Social: @juliet_whitsett_art Purchase prints: HERE
Information generously provided by:
Charles Randklev, PhDResearch Assistant ProfessorTexas A&M Natural Resources Institute/Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
IMAGE
Image source: https://mussels.nri.tamu.edu/species/texas-pimpleback/
RANGE:
Image source: https://mussels.nri.tamu.edu/species/texas-pimpleback/
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://mussels.nri.tamu.edu/species/texas-pimpleback/