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Public Events --

  Paul Mickey Science Series: Freshwater Mussels of the Illinois River Basin: Community Variation and Change   

Image from Paul Mickey Science Series: Freshwater Mussels of the Illinois River Basin: Community Variation and Change

Paul Mickey Science Series: Freshwater Mussels of the Illinois River Basin: Community Variation and Change

  • Location: ISM Research & Collections Center, Springfield
  • Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2014, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Historically, the streams and lakes of Illinois housed a rich fauna of freshwater mussels. Biologists have documented 79 species in the state, and mussel populations were formerly quite large. However, many mussel communities have declined because of recent human alterations of the natural environment. Mussel collections from archaeological sites provide important baseline information on the diversity and composition of past mussel communities. There are striking contrasts between ancient and modern mussel collections in the Illinois River, and these differences tell an interesting story about how the river and its mussel communities have changed. The presentation also looks at past and present human uses of mussels – as sources of food and also as raw material for making shell tools, ornaments, buttons, and cultured pearls.

One of our Paul Mickey Science Series

Discover Illinois' rich prehistoric and historic past by attending an ISM Paul Mickey Science Series Program. A different speaker and topic are featured each month. For more information on upcoming topics and speakers, please contact Nina Walthall at (217) 782-0061 or 217-785-0037.

  • Usually held the second Wednesday of Each Month
  • 7:00 to 8:30 PM
  • Held at the ISM Research & Collections Center, 1011 East Ash Street (enter the building from 10 ½ Street between Ash & Laurel Streets), Springfield, Illinois
  • Free Admission 

For more events at ISM Research & Collections Center.