Freshwater pearl mussel Freshwater pearl mussel The freshwater pearl mussel ("Margaritifera margaritifera") is an endangered species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusc in the family Margaritiferidae. Although the name "freshwater pearl mussel" is often used for this species, other freshwater mussel species can also create pearls and some can also be used as a source of mother of pearl. In fact, most cultured pearls today come from "Hyriopsis" species in Asia, or "Amblema" species in North America, both members of the related family Unionidae; pearls are also found within species in the genus "Unio". The interior of the shell of "Margaritifera margaritifera"
Daniel Pearl through music. Pearl was born in Princeton, New Jersey to Ruth and Judea Pearl. His mother is of Iraqi-Jewish descent and his father is an Israeli of Polish-Jewish descent. His family moved to the Encino district of Los Angeles, when his father took a position with UCLA. His father, Judea Pearl, is a professor of computer science and statistics, and director of the Cognitive Systems Laboratory at UCLA. He has received the Turing Award. The history of the family and its connections to Israel are described by Judea Pearl in the "LA Times" article, "Roots in the Holy Land". Pearl