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 portions of northern Florida and southern Georgia. The map shows polygonal boundaries representing areas where this species is understood to occur according to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The single thematic layer illustrates the geographic distribution of this federally listed endangered species within the mapped region.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers portions of northern Florida and southern Georgia, centered around the area between Tallahassee, Florida and Thomasville, Georgia. Major cities labeled on the map include Tallahassee in the central-southern portion and Thomasville in the northeastern section. The city of Valdosta appears in the western portion of the map, and Panacea is visible in the southern coastal area. The mapped area extends from coastal regions along the Gulf of America northward into southern Georgia, encompassing river systems and watersheds in this region.

KEY INSIGHTS

The Ochlockonee Moccasinshell habitat exhibits a distinctive linear distribution pattern that follows river corridors and drainage systems. The species range consists of two primary areas: a large, interconnected region extending from central-northern Florida northward into southern Georgia near Thomasville, and a separate southwestern area near Valdosta. The distribution pattern strongly suggests the species is confined to specific river systems and their tributaries, with the most extensive continuous habitat occurring in the eastern portion of the mapped area. There is a notable gap in habitat between Tallahassee and the coastal region, indicating the species does not occupy all waterways within the broader geographic area.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Ochlockonee Moccasinshell Habitat Range

This layer represents the geographic boundaries where the endangered Ochlockonee Moccasinshell is understood to occur within Florida.

Habitat Polygons (pink crosshatch pattern)

Appearance:

Pink or rose-colored areas with a fine crosshatch or mesh pattern overlay

Distribution:

The habitat areas appear in three distinct concentrations: a large northeastern region extending from north of Tallahassee into Georgia near Thomasville, a western area near Valdosta, and smaller patches in the southwestern and south-central portions of the map

Notable locations:

The most extensive continuous habitat occurs in the northeastern section between Tallahassee and Thomasville, forming an elongated north-south corridor. A secondary concentration appears west of this main area near Valdosta. Smaller, isolated habitat patches are visible in the southwestern region and near the coastal area.

Spatial patterns:

The habitat boundaries follow a dendritic or branching pattern characteristic of river systems and their tributaries. The distribution suggests the species is restricted to specific aquatic corridors rather than being uniformly distributed across the landscape. The eastern and western habitat concentrations are separated by areas without suitable habitat, indicating fragmentation of the species range.

Overlapping Patterns

The habitat areas appear to correspond with major river drainages, though the base map rivers are not emphasized. The proximity of habitat boundaries to labeled cities provides reference points for understanding the species' range relative to developed areas.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents species boundary data as understood by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service specifically for the State of Florida, though the mapped extent includes portions of southern Georgia where the species range extends beyond state boundaries. The polygonal boundaries represent habitat areas rather than individual specimen locations. The map focuses on the thematic species layer; base map features such as roads and detailed hydrography are not emphasized but provide minimal geographic context. The distribution pattern reflects the aquatic nature of this mussel species, which inhabits freshwater river systems.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

United States Fish and Wildlife Service species boundary data for the State of Florida. The dataset represents species ranges as understood and documented by USFWS for conservation and management purposes.

Definition Query:

The map displays only records where the common name equals "Ochlockonee Moccasinshell," filtering the broader USFWS species dataset to show this single endangered species. The filter criterion used is: COMNAME = 'OCHLOCKONEE MOCCASINSHELL'.

Scale Information:

The map scale shows a regional view appropriate for understanding the overall species distribution across multiple counties and river systems. This scale level displays the complete known range of the species within the mapped area but does not show fine-scale habitat details within individual stream segments.

Coordinate System:

NAD 1983 HARN Florida GDL Albers (WKID 3087)

Limitations:

The boundaries represent generalized range areas and do not indicate population density, habitat quality, or precise locations of individual specimens. The polygonal boundaries may encompass both suitable and unsuitable habitat within their extent. The dataset represents USFWS understanding of species distribution, which may be based on historical records, surveys, and habitat modeling rather than comprehensive field verification of all areas.

Map Coverage:

The map extends from coastal areas along the Gulf of America in southern Florida northward into southern Georgia, encompassing the region roughly from Panacea in the south to Thomasville in the north, and from areas west of Valdosta eastward to beyond Tallahassee.

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