This book describes a fauna of global conservation concern and provides a framework for researchers to begin to test hypotheses regarding the evolution of freshwater mussels in Central America. Placing the Central American fauna in context with that of North and South America, the authors fill a gap in our knowledge of this endangered and largely endemic fauna. This book:

• Provides a full‑color treatment of all 81 native and introduced freshwater mussel species found from the Rio Grande in Texas, USA, and Mexico to Colombia, South America
• Includes 110 distribution maps of all species
• Presents complete synonymies in every systematic species account
• Offers historical information and bios of previous workers in the field
• Cites complete literature and references on freshwater mussels in the region

Through photographs, distribution maps, and a complete list of species described and reported from Central America, Freshwater Mussels of Central America will inspire researchers to begin filling in the gaps regarding the systematics and ecology of freshwater mussels in Central America. It will be an essential source for conservationists, aquatic biologists, and those interested in the natural history of temperate and tropical freshwater ecosystems.

Kevin S. Cummings was born and raised in Chicago and is a lifelong resident of Illinois. He obtained B.S. and M.A. degrees in zoology from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and was employed as a Research Scientist and Curator of Mollusks at the Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign for 38 years. He is also a research associate at the Field Museum in Chicago, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, and the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia. He has conducted research in the conservation, systematics and ecology of freshwater mollusks and the protection of freshwater habitats, primarily streams. Kevin has conducted fieldwork on mollusks around the world including the Amazon, Orinoco, Zambezi, Congo, Mississippi, and Xingu river systems. His recent research has centered around the global diversity of freshwater mussels, particularly in Central and South America. Kevin was Past President of the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society and received the societies’ Lifetime Achievement Award in March 2015. He also received the Illinois Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Stephen A. Forbes Excellence in Fisheries Award in 2008 and the Outstanding Public Service Award from Prairie Rivers Network in 2013. Kevin has served on various state, federal, and professional society committees on the conservation of freshwater mollusks including the Illinois Endangered Species Technical Advisory Committee on Invertebrates, the American Fisheries Society, Endangered Species Committee, Endangered Freshwater Mussels Subcommittee, the American Malacological Society, Conservation Committee, the Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Daniel L. Graf currently holds the title of Professor of Aquatic Invertebrate Zoology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. After completing his B.S. from the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities), Minnesota native Dan Graf studied invertebrate zoology while earning M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Northeastern University in Boston and the University of Michigan, respectively. He was hired as Assistant Curator of Malacology at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, and then as Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa). The common throughlines of Prof. Graf’s research have been using natural history collections and applying the methods of biodiversity informatics to address questions about the origin and maintenance of freshwater molluscan diversity. Prof. Graf is a member of the American Malacological Society and the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society.

John M. Pfeiffer is associated with Natural Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution.

Jeremy S. Tiemann received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Kansas. And his Master of Science from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. Jeremy has been employed as an Associate Aquatic Ecologist for the Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign since 2002. His research interests include documenting basic natural history information of non-game fishes and freshwater mollusks, addressing the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on stream ecosystems, and restoring stream habitats and aquatic faunas. Jeremy has collaborated on research projects in North America, Central America, South America, and Africa. Jeremy has served on various state, federal, and professional society committees on the conservation of fishes and freshwater mollusks, including the Illinois Endangered Species Technical advisory committee on both fishes and aquatic invertebrates, the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Black Carp work group, the American Fisheries Society’s Endangered Species Committee – Aquatic Gastropods Subcommittee, and the American Fisheries Society’s Aquatic Invasive Species Policy work group. He also is a Past President of both the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society and the Illinois Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.