Scientists have identified a new species of mussel found only in one Triad body of water, state wildlife officials said Monday.

The finding comes after nine years of observation and research that began with the 2016 discovery of what is now known as the Solstice Creek Mussel – so named because it spawns during the winter solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year.

Biologists initially found a specimen they assumed to be a green floater mussel in Randolph and Montgomery counties.

However, “we noticed that some of the shell characteristics, ... particularly the internal teeth, did not align with those of the green floater,” said Brena Jones, landscape conservation coordinator with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. “We were able to use genetic analysis to conf

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