Native Mussels

The Obed Wild and Scenic River, located on the Cumberland Plateau, is in a region where major declines and mass mortality of mussels have been observed. The Wild and Scenic River contains designated critical habitat for the federally endangered endemic Tennessee Bean ( Venustaconcha trabalis; aka Purple Bean). Water quality and habitat conditions in the Obed are critical factors for recovery of...

The Snuffbox mussel ( Epioblasma triquetra) was a historically widespread species occurring in 210 lakes and streams in the United States and Canada; however, the range has declined by 62% and reduced to 79 lakes and streams. Existing populations are small and isolated, increasing the risk of species extinction. These factors prompted the listing of Snuffbox as federally endangered in 2012...

The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (SACN) is one of the best remaining refuges for declining populations of native unionid mussels in the United States and supports the only known self-sustaining population of the federally endangered Winged Mapleleaf ( Quadrula fragosa) in the Upper Mississippi River basin. Mussel fauna are important to the river ecosystem, providing important ecological...

The Winged Mapleleaf mussel ( Quadrula fragosa) is only known to inhabit five locations in the U.S., and the population in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway is isolated both physically and genetically from the other populations. In 2000, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) issued Reasonable and Prudent Measures, which required the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to establish...

The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (SACN) is one of the last refuges for rapidly declining populations of native unionid mussels in the United States and supports the only known self-sustaining population of the federally endangered Winged Mapleleaf mussel ( Quadrula fragosa) in the upper Mississippi River basin. The Channel Catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus) is the only known host for Winged...

As invasive zebra and quagga mussels ( Dreissena polymorpha and D. rostriformis bugensis, respectively), known as dreissenid mussels, continue their expansion throughout North America, the need to develop selective control tools has become critical for resource managers. Registered molluscicides for dreissenid control are limited, and often must be applied within or under a barrier to achieve...

Freshwater mussels are the most imperiled group of animals in North America, with 66% of species at risk. Mussel populations are declining globally, but the factors contributing to these declines are largely unknown. Habitat fragmentation and alteration, point- and non-point source pollution, navigation-related impacts, and exotic species introductions are thought to be responsible for mussel...

Conservation and Restoration of Native Freshwater Mussels There has been growing concern by Federal and State agencies in recent years over the risk that lampricide applications may have on non-target organisms. Due to their highly imperiled status, sedentary behavior, and bottom dwelling nature, native freshwater mussels are a group of organisms that may be adversely affected by lampricides...

The National Park Service Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway is known for their conservation efforts of threatened and endangered native freshwater mussels. Understanding what constitutes mussel habitat is important for identifying suitable habitat for the conservation and restoration of freshwater mussels. Mussel habitat has not been well...

Understanding the distribution of threatened and endangered freshwater mussels is needed to conserve and restore populations. Sampling for native freshwater mussels typically involves taking quadrat samples in soft substrates and counting the number of mussels in a defined area. However, this methodology is unsuitable for detecting populations of the Spectaclecase mussel ( Margaritifera monodonta...

Invasive carps (silver, bighead, black, grass) cause considerable economic and ecological damage to important fishery and water resources in the United States. Carbon dioxide (CO2) applied into water is being developed as a new chemical method to control invasive carps and other aquatic invasive species. Ongoing studies are evaluating the effectiveness of CO2 as a behavioral deterrent to limit...

Chemical controls are a vital component of many effective Integrated Pest Management plans. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is being evaluated as a new fishery chemical for invasive carps as a general toxicant or behavioral deterrent. Administration of non-selective chemicals, such as CO2, into public waters could pose a risk to non-target organisms (e.g. native mussels, native fishes) through direct or...