Alternative Text Description for Fuzzy Pigtoe (Threatened) Distribution Map

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the known distribution range of the Fuzzy Pigtoe, a federally threatened freshwater mussel species, across the southeastern United States. The map shows the geographic boundaries where this species is understood to occur according to United States Fish and Wildlife Service data for Florida and surrounding states. The shaded polygonal areas represent the species' habitat range extending from Georgia through Florida.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers the southeastern coastal region of the United States, with primary focus on Florida and portions of Georgia and South Carolina. Major cities labeled on the map include Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Cape Coral, Charleston, Savannah, Columbia, Greenville, Augusta, Athens, Macon, Warner Robins, Albany, Valdosta, Gainesville, Palm Coast, Palm Bay, Port St. Lucie, West Palm Beach, Coral Springs, Freeport, and Abaco. The map extends from the Atlantic Ocean on the east to Georgia and the Gulf of America on the west, showing coastal features and inland areas. The geographic coverage spans from South Carolina in the north to the southern tip of Florida.

KEY INSIGHTS

The Fuzzy Pigtoe distribution is concentrated in a relatively narrow geographic corridor extending from southeastern Georgia southward through northeastern Florida. The species range follows a north-south linear pattern along Florida's eastern peninsula, suggesting habitat associated with particular river systems or watersheds in this region. The distribution does not extend into the Florida Panhandle, central Florida interior, or the southern peninsula, indicating specific habitat requirements or historical range limitations. The pattern shows a continuous but geographically restricted range along the coastal plain of Georgia and Florida.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Fuzzy Pigtoe (Threatened) Distribution Range

This layer represents the polygonal habitat boundaries for the federally threatened Fuzzy Pigtoe mussel species.

Fuzzy Pigtoe Habitat Range (hatched pink polygon)

Appearance:

The species range is depicted as a light pink polygon with diagonal cross-hatching pattern, providing visual distinction from the light gray base map.

Distribution:

The habitat range extends in a north-south corridor beginning in southeastern Georgia near the coast and continuing southward through the eastern portion of the Florida peninsula. The range appears as an elongated polygon running parallel to Florida's Atlantic coastline.

Notable locations:

The distribution encompasses areas near Jacksonville, Florida, and extends southward through the eastern coastal region. The northern extent reaches into Georgia, while the southern terminus appears to be in north-central Florida.

Spatial patterns:

The habitat forms a continuous linear corridor rather than scattered patches, suggesting connectivity along watershed systems. The range is relatively narrow in east-west extent but extends considerable distance north to south, indicating the species is restricted to specific riparian or aquatic systems within this geographic area.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents the official species distribution boundaries as understood by federal wildlife authorities. The Fuzzy Pigtoe is a freshwater mussel species with threatened status under the Endangered Species Act, indicating it requires federal protection. The map shows habitat range rather than specific occurrence points, meaning the species may not be present throughout the entire shaded area but this represents the understood geographic extent of suitable habitat or historical range. Conservation and management decisions for this species would reference these official boundary data.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

The data originates from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and represents polygonal boundaries for species distribution as understood by the agency for the State of Florida. The source layer is CR_USFWS_POLY_JUL25.

Definition Query:

This map displays only records where the common name equals 'FUZZY PIGTOE', filtering the broader USFWS species dataset to show this single threatened species.

Scale Information:

The map is displayed at a regional scale covering multiple states, appropriate for understanding the overall geographic range of the species rather than site-specific locations.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087)

Time Period of Content:

The data layer name indicates July 2025 as the reference date for this species distribution information.

Limitations:

The polygonal boundaries represent generalized habitat range rather than precise occurrence locations. Actual presence of the species may vary within the depicted boundaries based on specific habitat conditions, water quality, and other ecological factors. The map focuses on Florida data from USFWS and may not represent the complete range if the species occurs in other states beyond this dataset's scope.

Map Coverage:

The map extent covers the southeastern United States from South Carolina southward through the entirety of Florida, extending westward to show portions of Georgia's interior and eastward to include the Atlantic coastal areas and offshore islands.

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