Imminent extinction of the Nore freshwater pearl musselMargaritifera durrovensisPhillips: A species unique to Ireland

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Abstract
The last population of the Nore freshwater pearl musselMargaritifera durrovensiswas surveyed each year from 1990 to 1994 in the River Nore, southern Ireland.The population has fallen from a ‘flourishing colony’ in the 1920s to an estimated 2000 in 1990 and 420 in 1994. No juvenile mussels were observed in any of the surveys.If life history data forMargaritifera margaritiferaare applicable toM. durrovensis, the population would need to be 20 times greater for successful recruitment.Although given special mention in the Bern Convention,M. durrovensiswas omitted from the European Union Habitats Directive, perhaps due to uncertainty regarding its taxonomic status as it shares characteristics with bothM. margaritiferaandM. auricularia.Immediate measures are required to prevent the extinction ofM. durrovensisincluding, (a) a captive breeding programme, (b) habitat restoration, and (c) formal recognition of its priority status within the Habitats Directive.