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Reproductive biology and fish hosts of the Tennessee clubshell Pleurobema oviforme (Mollusca: Unionidae) in Virginia

January 1, 1991
The reproductive cycle and fish hosts of the freshwater mussel Pleurobema oviforme were determined during a 14-mo study (1979-1980) in Big Moccasin Creek, southwestern Virginia. Histological sectioning of mussel gonads collected throughout the year showed that gametogenesis for both sexes began in late spring and continued into early autumn; fertilization began in late March. Glochidial development in the outer gills of females required 3-5 wk. Judged by biweekly samples of stream drift, glochidia were released from mid-April through July. Six species of cyprinids, collected between May and September 1979, were naturally infested with amblemine glochidia. Induced infestations of putative fish hosts in the laboratory confirmed five host species: whitetail shiner (Notropis galacturus), common shiner (N. cornutus), river chub (Nocomis micropogon), stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum) and fantail darter (Etheostoma flabellare).
Publication Year 1991
Title Reproductive biology and fish hosts of the Tennessee clubshell Pleurobema oviforme (Mollusca: Unionidae) in Virginia
DOI 10.2307/2426152
Authors L. R. Weaver, Garland B. Pardue, Richard J. Neves
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title American Midland Naturalist
Index ID 1014574
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Leetown Science Center
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