COKEVILLE — University of Wyoming master’s student Samantha Poratti hosted a mussel science presentation on Tuesday, May 28, at the Cokeville Library. Poratti has been studying native Wyoming mussels near Bear River and native fish near Cokeville.

She shared some very interesting information and results of her study with those attending. She will continue her study throughout the coming months and welcomed any feedback from residents on their findings. She encourages residents, as they fish along the Bear River, to keep her study in mind and watch for mussels.

The baby mussels can be found on fish gills as they travel. Adult mussels can be found on the bottom of the river.

Poratti shared interesting facts on the benefits of mussels in the Bear River and the effect fish have on them. Her advisor, Dr. Lusha Tronstad, a University of Wyoming invertebrate zoologist, was also there to assist with the presentation.

This event was hosted by the University of Wyoming and UW Biodiversity Institute.