Alternative Text Description for Oval Pigtoe (Endangered)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MAP OVERVIEW

This map displays the known geographic range of the Oval Pigtoe, an endangered freshwater mussel species, across portions of the southeastern United States. The map shows discrete habitat areas where this species is understood to occur according to United States Fish and Wildlife Service data for Florida and adjacent states. The pink cross-hatched polygons indicate the species' limited distribution in northern Florida and southern Georgia.

GEOGRAPHIC CONTEXT

The map covers the southeastern United States, including all of Florida and portions of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Alabama. Major cities labeled include Jacksonville (Florida), Greenville, Columbia, Charleston, Augusta, Savannah, Macon, Warner Robins, Athens, Albany, Valdosta, Gainesville, Palm Coast, Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Lakeland, Palm Bay, Cape Coral, Port St. Lucie, West Palm Beach, Freeport, Coral Springs, and Abaco. The Atlantic Ocean is visible along the eastern coast, and the Gulf of America (showing as a gray area) borders the western coast of Florida. State boundaries are shown with light gray lines.

KEY INSIGHTS

The Oval Pigtoe has an extremely limited distribution, occurring in only a few isolated areas in northern Florida and southern Georgia. The species' range is concentrated in three distinct areas: one small area in the southwestern portion of Georgia near the Florida border (west of Valdosta), and two areas in north-central Florida in the Gainesville region. These fragmented habitat patches suggest the species has a highly restricted range and may be geographically isolated. No occurrences are shown in the vast majority of Florida or in other southeastern states visible on the map.

VISUAL ELEMENTS

Oval Pigtoe (Endangered)

The endangered species range is represented by polygonal areas showing where the species occurs.

Oval Pigtoe Range Areas (pink cross-hatched pattern)

Appearance:

Pink or light red polygons filled with a diagonal cross-hatch pattern overlay the base map.

Distribution:

Three separate polygonal areas appear on the map: one in southern Georgia near the Florida state line west of Valdosta, one larger area in north-central Florida near Gainesville, and one smaller area also in the Gainesville vicinity.

Notable locations:

The largest concentration appears to be in the Gainesville area of north-central Florida. A smaller but distinct area is located in southern Georgia. The areas are not contiguous, indicating fragmented habitat.

Spatial patterns:

The distribution pattern shows significant geographic fragmentation with substantial distances between occupied areas. The species does not appear along the coastlines or in southern or central Florida. All occurrences are confined to inland areas in the northern portion of the mapped range.

Overlapping Patterns

No overlapping patterns with other thematic layers are present. This map displays a single species range layer.

SYMBOL GUIDE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This map represents species range boundaries as understood by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The polygonal areas indicate where the species is known or believed to occur based on available data, not necessarily precise locations of individual specimens. The Oval Pigtoe is a freshwater mussel species, so its presence is associated with suitable aquatic habitats such as rivers and streams within the mapped boundaries. The highly fragmented nature of the range reflects the endangered status of this species and suggests limited suitable habitat availability.

DATA CONTEXT

Data Source:

This dataset contains polygonal boundaries for species as understood by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for the State of Florida. Data source layer name: CR_USFWS_POLY_JUL25.

Definition Query:

The map displays only records where the common name equals 'OVAL PIGTOE', filtering the broader species dataset to show this single endangered species.

Scale Information:

The map shows a regional scale covering multiple states, appropriate for understanding the overall geographic range and distribution pattern of the species across the southeastern United States.

Coordinate System:

NAD_1983_HARN_Florida_GDL_Albers (WKID 3087)

Time Period of Content:

The data is dated July 2025 based on the source layer name.

Limitations:

Species range boundaries represent the best available understanding of where species occur but may not reflect the most current field observations or recent habitat changes. The polygons indicate general areas of occurrence rather than precise population locations or density information.

Map Coverage:

The map extends from approximately northern Georgia and South Carolina southward through the entire state of Florida, and westward to include portions of Alabama. The Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of America provide eastern and western boundaries respectively.

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