Alternative Text Description for Chipola Slabshell (Threatened) Distribution Map

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the distribution range of the Chipola Slabshell, a threatened species, across the southeastern United States. The map shows polygonal boundaries representing areas where this species is found according to United States Fish and Wildlife Service data. The distribution pattern extends from northern Florida through Georgia and into the coastal regions of South Carolina and North Carolina.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers portions of the southeastern United States, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Major cities labeled on the map include Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Cape Coral, Coral Springs, West Palm Beach, and Fort St. Lucie in Florida; Savannah and Columbus in Georgia; Charleston in South Carolina; and Greenville, Wilmington, and Jacksonville in North Carolina. The Atlantic Ocean appears along the eastern edge of the map. The western portion shows inland areas including Athens, Macon, Warner Robins, Augusta, Albany, Valdosta, Tallahassee, and Gainesville. The Gulf of America coastline is visible along Florida's western edge.

KEY INSIGHTS

The Chipola Slabshell distribution shows a distinct linear pattern following a narrow corridor that extends from north-central Florida northward through eastern Georgia and into coastal South Carolina and North Carolina. The species range is concentrated along what appears to be a river system or watershed corridor, creating a continuous north-south pathway through the southeastern coastal plain. The distribution is notably narrow and elongated rather than broadly dispersed, suggesting the species is closely associated with specific aquatic habitats. The range extends approximately from the Florida-Georgia border region northward to the North Carolina coast near Wilmington.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Chipola Slabshell Distribution Layer

This layer represents the geographic range of the threatened Chipola Slabshell species as defined by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Chipola Slabshell (Threatened) Range (light pink/lavender shaded polygons with diagonal line pattern)

Appearance:

Light pink or lavender-colored polygonal areas with a diagonal crosshatch or line pattern overlay.

Distribution:

The shaded areas form a narrow, elongated corridor extending from the northern Florida-Georgia border region northward through eastern Georgia, continuing into coastal South Carolina, and reaching the coastal area of North Carolina near Wilmington. The distribution follows what appears to be a riverine or watershed corridor.

Notable locations:

The range encompasses areas near Savannah, Georgia; Charleston, South Carolina; and extends to the coastal region near Jacksonville and Wilmington in North Carolina. In Florida, the distribution begins in the north-central portion of the state near the Georgia border.

Spatial patterns:

The distribution exhibits a strong linear, north-south orientation along a narrow corridor, suggesting the species is confined to specific aquatic habitats within a watershed system. The pattern shows continuity along this corridor with minimal lateral expansion, indicating limited dispersal beyond the primary habitat pathway.

Overlapping Patterns

No overlapping patterns are present in this single-layer thematic map.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents a single thematic layer showing the official distribution boundaries for the Chipola Slabshell, a species listed as threatened under federal wildlife protection regulations. The map focuses specifically on the species range rather than showing detailed base map features. The linear distribution pattern visible on this map reflects the species' dependence on specific aquatic habitats, likely within river systems or connected waterways. Users should interpret the shaded areas as the recognized range where the species occurs, as determined by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for conservation and management purposes.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

The data originates from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and represents the official polygonal boundaries for threatened and endangered species within the State of Florida and adjacent states. The source layer is CR_USFWS_POLY_JUL25.

Definition Query:

The map displays only records where the common name equals "CHIPOLA SLABSHELL," filtering the broader species dataset to show this single threatened species.

Scale Information:

The map displays a regional scale covering multiple states in the southeastern United States, appropriate for understanding the overall geographic distribution of the species rather than detailed site-level information.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087)

Time Period of Content:

The dataset is dated July 2025 (JUL25), representing the most current understanding of species distribution as of that date.

Limitations:

The polygonal boundaries represent generalized distribution ranges and may not indicate that the species is present at every location within the shaded areas. Actual species occurrence may be limited to specific habitat types within the broader range boundaries. Data gaps or areas not surveyed may exist within or adjacent to the mapped range.

Map Coverage:

The map extends from northern Florida through Georgia, South Carolina, and into North Carolina, with portions of the Atlantic Ocean visible to the east and the Gulf of America visible along Florida's west coast. The exact geographic extent includes coastal and inland areas sufficient to display the complete known range of the Chipola Slabshell.

The alternative text description of this map was AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies.