Alternative Text Description for Ochlockonee Moccasinshell (Endangered)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the habitat range of the Ochlockonee Moccasinshell, an endangered freshwater mussel species, across the southeastern United States. The map shows a single, small polygonal area where this species is documented to exist, as defined by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The map covers portions of Georgia and Florida, with emphasis on the limited geographic distribution of this endangered species.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map encompasses the southeastern United States, primarily showing Georgia and Florida, with portions of South Carolina visible in the northeast. Major cities labeled include Jacksonville in northern Florida, Orlando and Tampa in central Florida, Charleston in South Carolina, Columbia in South Carolina, Savannah in Georgia, and Greenville in the northwest. The map extends westward to include Athens, Macon, Warner Robins, Albany, Tallahassee, and Valdosta, and southward to include coastal Florida cities such as St. Petersburg, Palm Bay, Port St. Lucie, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and the Florida Keys region including Cape Coral and Coral Springs. The Atlantic Ocean is visible along the eastern coast, and the Gulf of America is shown along Florida's western coastline.

KEY INSIGHTS

The most significant spatial pattern visible in this map is the extremely limited and localized distribution of the Ochlockonee Moccasinshell. The species' habitat is confined to a single, relatively small area in south-central Georgia, positioned between Valdosta and Tallahassee. This isolated occurrence highlights the species' endangered status and restricted range. The habitat area is located in the Ochlockonee River watershed region, far from major urban centers. No other occurrences of this species are shown elsewhere on the map, emphasizing its vulnerability and the importance of the single documented habitat area.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Ochlockonee Moccasinshell (Endangered)

This layer represents the documented habitat boundaries for the endangered Ochlockonee Moccasinshell freshwater mussel species.

Ochlockonee Moccasinshell Habitat Area (pink crosshatch pattern)

Appearance:

The habitat is shown as a small polygon filled with a pink crosshatch pattern, appearing as diagonal lines creating a mesh or grid effect.

Distribution:

The habitat area is located in south-central Georgia, positioned west of Valdosta and north of the Florida state line. The polygon appears in the region between Valdosta to the east and the Georgia-Florida border to the south.

Notable locations:

The habitat area is situated in a rural region with no major cities within the immediate vicinity. It is located approximately between Valdosta, Georgia and Tallahassee, Florida, closer to the Georgia side of the state border.

Spatial patterns:

The habitat consists of a single, isolated polygon with no satellite populations or additional habitat areas visible elsewhere on the map. This singular occurrence pattern emphasizes the species' limited distribution and concentrated range in one specific watershed system.

Overlapping Patterns

No overlapping patterns are visible, as only a single habitat area is shown for this species.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents a single thematic layer showing the species boundary for the Ochlockonee Moccasinshell as recognized by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The map focuses exclusively on this endangered species' habitat and does not include other wildlife data or environmental layers. The very limited geographic extent of the habitat polygon underscores the conservation significance of this species and its vulnerability. Base map features such as state boundaries, cities, and water bodies are shown only to provide geographic context for understanding where this rare species occurs.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

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

Definition Query:

The map displays only records where the common name equals 'OCHLOCKONEE MOCCASINSHELL'. This filter isolates the habitat boundaries for this specific endangered species from the broader species database, excluding all other species records.

Scale Information:

The map is displayed at a regional scale covering multiple states, appropriate for showing the species' overall geographic range. At this scale, the habitat area appears as a relatively small polygon, reflecting the limited distribution of the species.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087)

Time Period of Content:

The data source layer name indicates content dated July 2025 (JUL25).

Limitations:

The polygonal boundaries represent the understood habitat range as documented by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and may not capture all potential habitat areas or recent population changes. The data reflects official designations and may be subject to updates as new survey information becomes available.

Map Coverage:

The map extends from southern South Carolina through Georgia and covers the entire state of Florida, including the Florida Keys. The western extent includes portions of southeastern Alabama near the Georgia border, while the eastern extent includes the Atlantic coastal regions. The northern boundary reaches approximately to the South Carolina-North Carolina border area, and the southern boundary extends to the southernmost Florida Keys.

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