In Ireland, 19 Special Areas of Conservation are listed for protection of the species, these are
|
SAC site code |
SAC name |
|
000140 |
Fawnboy Bog/Lough Nacung SAC |
|
000163 |
Lough Eske and Ardnamona Wood SAC |
|
000197 |
West of Ardara/Maas Road SAC |
|
000297 |
Lough Corrib SAC |
|
000365 |
Killarney National Park, Macgillycuddy's Reeks and Caragh River Catchment SAC |
|
000375 |
Mount Brandon SAC |
|
000781 |
Slaney River Valley SAC |
|
001879 |
Glanmore Bog SAC |
|
001932 |
Mweelrea/Sheeffry/Erriff Complex SAC |
|
002031 |
The Twelve Bens/Garraun Complex SAC |
|
002047 |
Cloghernagore Bog and Glenveagh National Park SAC |
|
002137 |
Lower River Suir SAC |
|
002144 |
Newport River SAC |
|
002162 |
River Barrow and River Nore SAC |
|
002165 |
Lower River Shannon SAC |
|
002170 |
Blackwater River (Cork/Waterford) SAC |
|
002171 |
Bandon River SAC |
|
002173 |
Blackwater River (Kerry) SAC |
|
002176 |
Leannan River SAC |
In addition to Margaritifera margaritifera (EU species code 1029), the River Barrow and River Nore SAC is selected for the hard-water form of the species, the Nore pearl mussel. This taxon is listed and reported on as a separate species (EU species code 1990) on the Annexes to the Habitats Directive, however, it is generally considered to be a rare ecophenotype of Margaritifera margaritifera. An on-going NPWS Margaritifera genetic study is examining genetic variation in mussels among Irish rivers, including the Nore.