Freshwater Mussel (Unionidae: Bivalvia) Distributions and Densities in French Creek, Pennsylvania

Smith, Tamara A.; Crabtree, Darran L.

doi:10.1656/045.017.0304

Cited by 11 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Visual-tactile timed searches are less labor-intensive than quadrat sampling, and this allows sampling a wider variety of habitats, a larger number of sites, and a greater number of individuals, all of which can improve species detection. Our results support the importance of excavation for improving species detection as reported by previous studies [14,40,45]. Excavation during quadrat sampling greatly improved the detection of mussel species (including several mussel SAR species).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…It was also essential for the detection of small individuals and to accurately estimate density. The importance of excavating to detect small individuals is also in agreement with other studies undertaken in eastern North American rivers [14,40,45]. It is uncertain whether gains in spatial coverage or number of sampling sites associated with less time-consuming timed searches can offset poor detectability associated with some species, seasons, or the low-densities characteristic of mussel populations in Ontario rivers.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

“…However, the design (i.e., number and location of stations) of the overall monitoring network needs to incorporate random site selection if population-level parameters are to be estimated, and if inferences over larger spatial scales are desired [25]. Two-phase sampling strategies successfully applied in Pennsylvania [45] and West Virginia [37] could provide such an approach.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tracking the Recovery of Freshwater Mussel Diversity in Ontario Rivers: Evaluation of a Quadrat-Based Monitoring Protocol

Reid

Morris

2017

Diversity

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Abstract:Watershed inventories and population monitoring are essential components of efforts to conserve and recover freshwater mussel diversity in Canada. We used two datasets to assess the efficacy of a quadrat-based sampling protocol for: (1) detecting mussel species at risk; (2) characterizing species composition; (3) providing accurate estimates of abundance; and (4) detecting changes in density. The protocol is based on a systematic design (with random starts) that samples 20% of monitoring sites with visual-tactile surface searches and excavation of 1 m 2 quadrats. The first dataset included 40 sampling sites in five Ontario rivers, and the second dataset consisted of complete census sampling at two 375 m 2 sites that represented contrasting mussel assemblages. Our results show that the protocol can be expected to detect the majority of species present at a site and provide accurate and precise estimates of total mussel density. Excavation was essential for detection of small individuals and to accurately estimate abundance. However, the protocol was of limited usefulness for reliable detection of most species at risk. Furthermore, imprecise density estimates precluded detection of all but the most extreme changes in density of most individual species. Meeting monitoring objectives will require either substantially greater sampling effort under the current protocol, or a fundamental revision of the sampling approach.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tracking the Recovery of Freshwater Mussel Diversity in Ontario Rivers: Evaluation of a Quadrat-Based Monitoring Protocol

Reid

Morris

2017

Diversity

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“…Qualitative mussel surveys were conducted at select sites previously examined by Marangelo and Strayer () in Tonawanda Creek and by Smith and Crabtree () in French Creek. On Tonawanda Creek, surveys were conducted at sites 1, 2 and 7 during the summer of 2016 (Figure a).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On French Creek, surveys were conducted at river kilometres (RKM) 74, 93, 109 and 125 during the summer of 2016 (Figure b; RKM 93 was also resurveyed during 2017). The sites, and their numbers, were selected on the basis of high species diversity and mussel abundance as previously documented in each stream (Marangelo & Strayer, ; Smith & Crabtree, ). All sites were a minimum of 2 km upstream or downstream from the next nearest mussel bed.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long‐term persistence of freshwater mussel beds in labile river channels

et al. 2018

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Freshwater mussels are among the world’s most imperilled species, and much effort has been expended to understand their precipitous decline. The current paradigm is that relative river bed stability over decades is critical to maintaining mussel beds at a given river reach. Such information, however, is in stark contrast to the fundamental understanding of self‐formed rivers. Here, we examine the relationship between long‐term occurrence of aggregated freshwater mussel communities (mussel beds) and the dynamic rivers in which they live. We surveyed mussel assemblages in two streams with historical records to document their long‐term persistence, and we simulated bed mobility with a two‐dimensional flow and sediment transport model to estimate bedload transport during channel‐forming discharges. We found evidence of long‐term mussel bed persistence, in time and in kind, within these two streams and that significant bed mobility within mussel beds occurs every 1–2 years, as to be expected for self‐formed rivers with labile beds. Flow refugia, or bed immobility, thus cannot completely explain the persistence of these mussel beds. Our results suggest that mussels have adapted to proliferate in river channels that often experience significant bed mobility, but further studies are needed to understand the biophysical mechanisms enabling the long‐term persistence of mussel communities.

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Freshwater unionid mussels threatened by predation of Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus)

Clark

Iwanowicz

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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Indigenous freshwater mussels (Unionidae) are integral to riverine ecosystems, playing a pivotal role in aquatic food webs and providing ecological services. With populations on the decline worldwide, freshwater mussels are of conservation concern. In this study, we explore the propensity of the invasive Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) fish to prey upon indigenous freshwater mussels. First, we conducted lab experiments where Round Gobies were given the opportunity to feed on juvenile unionid mussels and macroinvertebrates, revealing rates and preferences of consumption. Several Round Gobies consumed whole freshwater mussels during these experiments, as confirmed by mussel counts and x-ray images of the fishes. Next, we investigated Round Gobies collected from stream habitats of the French Creek watershed, which is renowned for its unique and rich aquatic biodiversity. We developed a novel DNA metabarcoding method to identify the specific species of mussels consumed by Round Goby and provide a new database of DNA gene sequences for 25 indigenous unionid mussel species. Several of the fishes sampled had consumed indigenous mussels, including the Elktoe (non-endangered), Creeper (non-endangered), Long Solid (state endangered), and Rayed Bean (federally endangered) species. The invasive Round Goby poses a growing threat to unionid mussels, including species of conservation concern. The introduction of the invasive Round Goby to freshwaters of North America is shaping ecosystem transitions within the aquatic critical zone having widespread implications for conservation and management.

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Freshwater Mussel (Unionidae: Bivalvia) Distributions and Densities in French Creek, Pennsylvania

Cited by 11 publications

References 26 publications

Tracking the Recovery of Freshwater Mussel Diversity in Ontario Rivers: Evaluation of a Quadrat-Based Monitoring Protocol

Tracking the Recovery of Freshwater Mussel Diversity in Ontario Rivers: Evaluation of a Quadrat-Based Monitoring Protocol

Long‐term persistence of freshwater mussel beds in labile river channels

Freshwater unionid mussels threatened by predation of Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus)

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