URI RESEARCHERS DISCOVER RARE FRESHWATER MUSSELS IN MOOSUP RIVER

KINGSTON, R.I., July 15 -- The University of Rhode Island issued the following news release:

KINGSTON, R.I. - July 15, 2026 - When University of Rhode Island researchers slipped beneath the surface of the Moosup River recently, they did not expect to find a living freshwater mussel community. The discovery marked the first documented record of freshwater mussels in the river in more than three decades and included rare native species considered sensitive indicators of river health.

Graduate students Jamie Bucholz and Mallory Malz in URI's Department of Natural Resources Science identified the mussel community during a survey of the river, which flows through northeastern Connecticut and western Rhode Island.

The team identified species i...