Lampsilis streckeri

According to Mark Gordon, the Arkansas specimens probably are Lampsilis reeveiana, therefore there is a possible chance that this species is a junior synonym of Lampsilis reeveiana. Clarke (1987), however he concluded this was a valid species. Reports of Lampsilis streckeri at two sites in Central Texas (Strecker, 1931) are apparently Lampsilis bracteata (Neck, 1984) (see Howells et al., 1996).

Despite historical decline, this species still remains at fewer than ten extant localities although the overall population trend since listing has increased due to the discovery of additional populations expanding the known range of the species. Some of these are healthy and reproducing. Population demographic characteristics are better understood including suitable host fish and development of successful propagation techniques. However, given the ongoing threats (particularly recent natural gas development) and the questionable viability of some sites, Lampsilis streckeri still remains imperiled.

This species is known from the Middle, South, Archery, and Devils Forks Little Red River, Missouri (USFWS 2015). Historical records from Texas are likely Lampsilis bracteata (Neck, 1984; Howells et al., 1996). Arkansas River drainage occurrences reported by Johnson (1970) are in error (USFWS, 1992).

Surveys in 2004-2006 rediscovered extant L. streckeri populations in Archey, Beech, South and Turkey forks of Little Red River and a previously undocumented L. streckeri population was discovered in Big Creek, a south flowing Little Red River tributary (Harris et al., 2009) increasing the number of streams to fewer than ten.

The speckled pocketbook once occurred in the stretch of the Little Red River now impounded by construction of the Greers Ferry Reservoir, and in the area downstream of the reservoir that is now altered by cold (hypolimnetic) discharges. The lentic conditions imposed by the reservoir and the hypolimnetic discharges undoubtedly eliminated any speckled pocketbook population in this stretch of river (USFWS, 1989; 1992; Clarke, 1987; Harris et al., 1997; Harris et al., 2007; USFWS, 2015), although a new population was recently found in a tributary (Harris et al., 2009). Archey and South Forks have been modified for flood control. The modification of these channels is the likely cause of the species' disappearance from these tributaries. The small population of speckled pocketbooks in the South Fork Little River, below the confluence with Archey Fork, was thought to have been extirpated by floods scouring the mussels' habitat (Clarke, 1987), but a recent population was discovered there (Harris et al., 2009). This scouring likely results from increased water velocity due to channel modification upstream. The Middle Fork population's available habitat is limited upstream by low or non-existent water flows during the dry months of the year. Much of Archey and South Forks have intermittent water flows during dry seasons, which may be partially due to channel modification for flood control (USFWS, 1992). Harris et al. (1997) also cited timber harvest as threats (see also Clarke, 1987). The USFWS and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission conducted a comprehensive threats assessment survey for Lampsilis streckeri during 2004 - 2005 and identified several threats associated with land use practices including unrestricted cattle access to streams, eroding stream banks, and gravel mining (Davidson and Wine, 2004, Davidson, 2005). Since 2005, a new threat had evolved in the form of exploration and development of natural gas reserves in the Fayetteville Shale formation (USFWS, 2007; Harris et al., 2009) but this threat appears to have largely been mitigated (USFWS, 2015)., 2007; Harris et al., 2009).