Scientists at the USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center view young freshwater mussels through miscroscopes. During laboratory tests, USGS scientists and partners found that the heart and growth rates of some species of young freshwater mussels declined as a result of elevated water temperatures, and many died.
Teresa J Newton, PhD
Teresa Newton holds a B.S. in Biology from Central Michigan University, and M.S. in Biology from Tennessee Technological University, and a PhD in Fisheries Biology and Toxicology from Iowa State University
Teresa's research interests focus on the conservation and ecology of freshwater mussels, a group of benthic animals in which 70% of the North American species are threatened. Mussels are keystone species in many rivers and their catastrophic decline may lead to the decline of other faunal groups and the alteration of ecosystem processes. Teresa uses a combination of comparative and experimental approaches to understand factors affecting the distribution and abundance of freshwater mussels and to determine the roles that mussels may play in large river food webs. Teresa also investigates the ecotoxicological effects of aquatic contaminants on freshwater mussels and is especially interested in developing sub-lethal endpoints of exposure. Teresa manages a native mussel team at the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center in La Crosse, WI. The team's is currently focused on (1) understanding factors limiting the distribution, abundance, and species richness of mussels in large rivers, (2) using hydrophysical models to identify locations of patches and features of suitable habitat for mussels in the Upper Mississippi River, (3) measuring a suite of population vital rates (e.g., survival, growth. recruitment) to assess the viability of mussels within these patches, (4) developing sampling designs to estimate mussel abundances associated with habitat restoration projects, and (5) quantifying spatial patterns of adult and juvenile mussels across multiple scales in the Upper Mississippi River.
Science and Products
Modeling Overview at UMESC
Characterization of the Mussel Microbiome: Assessment of Microbe Biodiversity Across Species, Individuals, and Environmental Compartments.
Conservation and Restoration of Native Freshwater Mussels
Systematic Analysis of Hydrogeomorphic Influences on Native Freshwater Mussels
Potential reproductive effects of the lampricides TFM and TFM:1% Niclosamide on native freshwater mussels
Ecosystem Services Provided by Native Freshwater Mussels
Hydroacoustic mapping of habitat for threatened and endangered native mussels in the Upper Mississippi River
Spatial Patterns of Native Freshwater Mussels in the Upper Mississippi River
Movement Patterns of Native Mussels in the Upper Mississippi River: Response to Water Level Management
Population Assessment and Potential Functional Roles of Native Mussels in the Upper Mississippi River
Comparison of Native Mussel Assemblages Among Three Reaches of the Upper Mississippi River
Modeling the Response of Imperiled Freshwater Mussels to Anthropogenically Induced Changes in Water Temperature, Habitat, and Flow in Streams of the Southeastern and Central United States
Responses of Native Freshwater Mussels to Remedial Dredging in the upper Hudson River
Hydroacoustic mapping of physical habitat for imperiled freshwater mussels in the St. Croix River
Behavioral and Reproductive Effects of the Lampricides TFM and TFM:1% Niclosamide on Native Freshwater Mussels - Data Release
Scientists at the USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center view young freshwater mussels through miscroscopes. During laboratory tests, USGS scientists and partners found that the heart and growth rates of some species of young freshwater mussels declined as a result of elevated water temperatures, and many died.
During laboratory tests, USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center scientists and partners found that the heart and growth rates of some species of young freshwater mussels declined as a result of elevated water temperatures, and many died.
During laboratory tests, USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center scientists and partners found that the heart and growth rates of some species of young freshwater mussels declined as a result of elevated water temperatures, and many died.
USGS Scientist Robert Kennedy examining freshwater mussel.
USGS Scientist Robert Kennedy examining freshwater mussel.
Acute toxicity of the lampricide 4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenol to the Mussel (Obovaria subrotunda), its host (Percina maculata), and a surrogate mussel species (Obovaria olivaria)
Responses of native freshwater mussels to remediation to remove polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated sediments in the upper Hudson River
U.S. Geological Survey science vision for native freshwater mussel research in the United States
Behavioral and reproductive effects of the lampricides TFM and TFM:1% Niclosamide on native freshwater mussels
Assessment of a habitat equivalency analysis for freshwater mussels in the upper Mississippi River
Influence of surrounding land-use on mussel growth and glycogen levels in the St. Croix and Minnesota River basins
Mussel community assessment tool for the Upper Mississippi River system
Population assessment and potential functional roles of native mussels in the Upper Hudson River
Estimation of vital population rates to assess the relative health of mussel assemblages in the Upper Mississippi River
Local scale spatial patterns of freshwater mussels in the Upper Mississippi River
Invasive silver carp may compete with unionid mussels for algae: First experimental evidence
Lethal and sub-lethal responses of native freshwater mussels exposed to granular Bayluscide®, a sea lamprey larvicide
Behavioral and Reproductive Effects of the Lampricides TFM and TFM:1% Niclosamide on Native Freshwater Mussels - SPSS Code Release
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 13
Modeling Overview at UMESC
Models seek to describe the natural world around us and how we interact with the world. For example, physical models might help Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) visitors understand landscapes, such as the Mississippi River or topology and water flow.Characterization of the Mussel Microbiome: Assessment of Microbe Biodiversity Across Species, Individuals, and Environmental Compartments.
Conservation and Restoration of Native Freshwater Mussels There has been substantial research on mussels in many areas, however, methods to estimate the overall health of mussels has received less attention. Assessing mussel health is difficult due to the lack of established benchmarks by which to judge what is suitable or normal. A mussels’ body is full of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that are...Conservation and Restoration of Native Freshwater Mussels
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...Systematic Analysis of Hydrogeomorphic Influences on Native Freshwater Mussels
Conservation and Restoration of Native Freshwater Mussels Over the past 50 years, about 20 native freshwater mussel species have been lost or greatly diminished from the Upper Mississippi River System and overall abundance of mussels has substantially declined in many portions of the river. While factors contributing to these declines are largely unknown, native mussels appear to be responsive to...Potential reproductive effects of the lampricides TFM and TFM:1% Niclosamide on native freshwater mussels
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...Ecosystem Services Provided by Native Freshwater Mussels
Conservation and Restoration of Native Freshwater Mussels Clean water is vital to public health, commerce, and recreation in the United States. Despite great efforts to reduce water pollution, many waters in the U.S. remain impaired. Having clean water not only supports considerable economic activity, but it also costs billions annually to maintain and provide. Freshwater mussels are avid filter...Hydroacoustic mapping of habitat for threatened and endangered native mussels in the Upper Mississippi River
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...Spatial Patterns of Native Freshwater Mussels in the Upper Mississippi River
Impact of UMESC Science This research aims to quantify spatial patterns of adult and juvenile (≤5 y of age) freshwater mussels across multiple scales based on systematic survey data from 4 reaches of the Upper Mississippi River (Navigation Pools 3, 5, 6, and 18). Resource managers can use this critical information about spatial structure to make informed river management decisions.Movement Patterns of Native Mussels in the Upper Mississippi River: Response to Water Level Management
Impact of UMESC Science This research aims to estimate the fraction of mussels that are able to avoid short-term mortality during a water level drawdown by burrowing or moving horizontally into deeper water. Resource managers can use this critical information about mussel behavior and survival to make informed river management decisions.Population Assessment and Potential Functional Roles of Native Mussels in the Upper Mississippi River
Impact of UMESC Science The results of this study suggest that native mussels play an integral role in this ecosystem by sequestering large volumes of suspended materials that can be used by other benthic organisms. Managers now have critical data on population size, distribution, and relative health—these data are being used to guide habitat restoration activities to benefit native mussel...Comparison of Native Mussel Assemblages Among Three Reaches of the Upper Mississippi River
In the past century about 20 mussel species have become extinct from the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) basin, and at least 28 species are state or federally listed. The species composition appears to have changed considerably from pre-European settlement times toward communities dominated by mussels that are tolerant of pollution and can utilize many different types of habitats. River managers...Modeling the Response of Imperiled Freshwater Mussels to Anthropogenically Induced Changes in Water Temperature, Habitat, and Flow in Streams of the Southeastern and Central United States
Freshwater mussels are in serious global decline and urgently need protection and conservation. Declines in the abundance and diversity of North American mussels have been attributed to a wide array of human activities that cause pollution, water-quality degradation, and habitat destruction. Recent findings suggest that many mussel species are already living close to their upper thermal tolerances... - Data
Responses of Native Freshwater Mussels to Remedial Dredging in the upper Hudson River
The Hudson River, New York, was contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from two General Electric plants over a period of ~30 years and PCBs are still present in sediment and biota today. The river provides habitat for a variety of plants and animals, including native freshwater mussels. Although little is known about mussels in this river, managers were concerned that a 7-year remediatHydroacoustic mapping of physical habitat for imperiled freshwater mussels in the St. Croix River
Recent advances in hydroacoustic technology are proving to be valuable tools for mapping habitat features for sedentary biota such as freshwater mussels, and has the potential to identify and quantify habitat features. The Spectaclecase (Margaritifera monodonta) and Salamander (Simpsonaias ambigua) are imperiled mussels that are typically associated with rock structures (e.g., wing dams, revetmentBehavioral and Reproductive Effects of the Lampricides TFM and TFM:1% Niclosamide on Native Freshwater Mussels - Data Release
This study continues our investigations into the effects of lampricides on mussels by extending research into potential effects on behavioral and reproductive endpoints on the plain pocketbook mussel(Lampsilis cardium). We hypothesized that TFM (3-trifluoromethyl-4'-nitrophenol) and TFM with Niclosamide (NIC, 2', 5-dichloro-4'-nitrosalicylanilide, hereafter TFM:NIC) would reduce the viability of f - Multimedia
Counting Juvenile Mussels
Scientists at the USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center view young freshwater mussels through miscroscopes. During laboratory tests, USGS scientists and partners found that the heart and growth rates of some species of young freshwater mussels declined as a result of elevated water temperatures, and many died.
Scientists at the USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center view young freshwater mussels through miscroscopes. During laboratory tests, USGS scientists and partners found that the heart and growth rates of some species of young freshwater mussels declined as a result of elevated water temperatures, and many died.
Young Freshwater Mussels as seen Through a MicroscopeYoung Freshwater Mussels as seen Through a MicroscopeDuring laboratory tests, USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center scientists and partners found that the heart and growth rates of some species of young freshwater mussels declined as a result of elevated water temperatures, and many died.
During laboratory tests, USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center scientists and partners found that the heart and growth rates of some species of young freshwater mussels declined as a result of elevated water temperatures, and many died.
USGS Scientist Robert Kennedy examining freshwater mussel.USGS Scientist Robert Kennedy examining freshwater mussel.USGS Scientist Robert Kennedy examining freshwater mussel.
USGS Scientist Robert Kennedy examining freshwater mussel.
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Filter Total Items: 52
Acute toxicity of the lampricide 4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenol to the Mussel (Obovaria subrotunda), its host (Percina maculata), and a surrogate mussel species (Obovaria olivaria)
The risk of lampricide applications (such as 4-nitro-3-[trifluoromethyl]phenol [TFM]) to nontarget fauna continues to be a concern within the Great Lakes Fishery Commission Sea Lamprey Control Program, especially among imperiled aquatic species—such as native freshwater mussels. The Grand River (Ohio, USA) is routinely treated for larval sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus), and this river contains pAuthorsTeresa J. Newton, Nicholas A. Schloesser, Cheryl A. Kaye, Chad K. Andresen, Michael A. Boogaard, Christina M. Carter, Ryan Jay Ellingson, Courtney A Kirkeeng, Justin SchuellerResponses of native freshwater mussels to remediation to remove polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated sediments in the upper Hudson River
The Hudson River, New York, was contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from two manufacturing plants over a period of approximately 30 years, and PCBs are still present in sediment and biota today. The river provides habitat for a variety of plants and animals, including native freshwater mussels. A remediation programme, consisting of dredging followed by the placement of backfilled sAuthorsTeresa J. Newton, Denise A. Mayer, James T. Rogala, Sean S. Madden, Brian R. GrayU.S. Geological Survey science vision for native freshwater mussel research in the United States
Executive SummaryNorth America is a global center for native freshwater mussel (order Unionida, hereinafter “mussels”) diversity, with more than 350 species. Mussels are among the most imperiled fauna on the planet. Reasons for both local and widespread declines in mussels are mostly unknown, although the threats may include habitat loss and fragmentation, diseases, environmental contaminants, altAuthorsTeresa J. Newton, Nathan A. Johnson, David H. HuBehavioral and reproductive effects of the lampricides TFM and TFM:1% Niclosamide on native freshwater mussels
The lampricides TFM (3-trifluoromethyl-4′-nitrophenol) and Niclosamide (NIC, 2′, 5-dichloro-4′-nitrosalicylanilide) are used to control sea lamprey populations in the Great Lakes and associated tributaries. Niclosamide is often used as an additive to TFM to reduce the amount of TFM required to control sea lamprey. Concern is growing over the risk that lampricide treatments pose to native freshwateAuthorsTeresa J. Newton, Michael A. Boogaard, Nicholas A. Schloesser, Courtney A Kirkeeng, Justin Schueller, Sherwin G. ToribioAssessment of a habitat equivalency analysis for freshwater mussels in the upper Mississippi River
The upper Mississippi River (UMR) contains diverse, dense, and reproducing assemblages of native freshwater mussels. In the case of an injury to mussels and their habitats, such as a hazardous material spill, train derailment, or barge grounding, resource managers have few restoration strategies. Resource managers need a means to document, quantify, and mitigate adverse effects on mussels resultinAuthorsTeresa J. Newton, Patricia R. Schrank, Steven J. Zigler, Scott Gritters, Aleshia Kenney, Skrabis. KristinInfluence of surrounding land-use on mussel growth and glycogen levels in the St. Croix and Minnesota River basins
Freshwater mussels face threats from climate change and changing land use that are dramatically altering their habitat. The health of mussel populations and the state of current and past environmental conditions can be monitored by measuring mussel growth and glycogen levels. In this study we measured growth and glycogen levels in mussels from two small river basins impacted by different land usesAuthorsDaniel J. Hornbach, Hayley Stutzman, Mark C. Hove, Jessica Kozarek, Kelly MacGregor, Teresa Newton, Patricia RiesMussel community assessment tool for the Upper Mississippi River system
Upper Mississippi River (UMR) resource managers need a quantitative means of evaluating the health of mussel assemblages to measure effects of management and regulatory actions, assess restoration techniques, and inform regulatory tasks. Our objective was to create a mussel community assessment tool (MCAT), consisting of a suite of metrics and scoring criteria, to consistently compare the relativeAuthorsHeidi L. Dunn, Steven J. Zigler, Teresa NewtonPopulation assessment and potential functional roles of native mussels in the Upper Hudson River
General Electric Company (GE) directly and indirectly released polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into the Hudson River and the surrounding environment starting in the late 1940’s, making it one of the most PCB-contaminated rivers in North America. Source control at two GE plant sites was implemented in 2009 to stem the influx of PCBs into the river (NYSDEC 2004; Farrar 2013; NYSDEC 2015). The HudsoAuthorsDenise A. Mayer, Teresa J. Newton, James T. RogalaEstimation of vital population rates to assess the relative health of mussel assemblages in the Upper Mississippi River
Native freshwater mussels are a guild of benthic, filter feeding invertebrates that perform important ecological functions in rivers. Because of their long lifespans (30–50 years or longer), mussels are slow to respond to human‐induced alterations. Thus, development of sensitive indicators of mussel population responses to river conditions and management would be beneficial. Compared to marine speAuthorsTeresa Newton, Steven J. Zigler, Patricia R. Ries, Mike Davis, David R. SmithLocal scale spatial patterns of freshwater mussels in the Upper Mississippi River
Multiple physical and biological factors contribute to the structure of freshwater mussel communities in large rivers. Mussel distributions are frequently described as clumped or patchy. However, few surveys of mussel populations have been designed to quantify these spatial patterns. We used indicators of spatial autocorrelation to quantify spatial patterns of adult and juvenile (≤ 5 years of age)AuthorsPatricia Ries, Nathan R. De Jager, Teresa Newton, Steven J. ZiglerInvasive silver carp may compete with unionid mussels for algae: First experimental evidence
1. Unionid mussels are imperiled throughout the United States, where their global diversity is highest. Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1844), an invasive planktivorous fish, has spread throughout Midwestern rivers and currently threatens the Great Lakes. Because silver carp remove plankton and other particles from the water column, they may competAuthorsElizabeth P Tristano, Alison A. Coulter, Teresa Newton, James # GarveyLethal and sub-lethal responses of native freshwater mussels exposed to granular Bayluscide®, a sea lamprey larvicide
The invasive sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) poses a substantial threat to fish communities in the Great Lakes. Efforts to control sea lamprey populations typically involve treating tributary streams with lampricides on a recurring cycle. The presence of a substantial population of larval sea lampreys in the aquatic corridor between Lakes Huron and Erie prompted managers to propose a treatment usAuthorsTeresa Newton, Michael A. Boogaard, Brian R. Gray, Terrance D. Hubert, Nicholas A. Schloesser - Software
Behavioral and Reproductive Effects of the Lampricides TFM and TFM:1% Niclosamide on Native Freshwater Mussels - SPSS Code Release
This study continues our investigations into the effects of lampricides on mussels by extending research into potential effects on behavioral and reproductive endpoints on the mussel plain pocketbook (Lampsilis cardium). We hypothesized that TFM and TFM:NIC would reduce the viability of free glochidia in a dose-dependent manner, that older glochidia would be more sensitive than younger glochidia,