Changing Perspectives on Pearly Mussels, North America's Most Imperiled Animals

Abstract Pearly mussels (Unionacea) are widespread, abundant, and important in freshwater ecosystems around the world. Catastrophic declines in pearly mussel populations in North America and other parts of the world have led to a flurry of research on mussel biology, ecology, and conservation. Recent research on mussel feeding, life history, spatial patterning, and declines has augmented, modified, or overturned long-held ideas about the ecology of these animals. Pearly mussel research has begun to benefit from and contribute to current ideas about suspension feeding, life-history theory, metapopulations, flow refuges, spatial patterning and its effects, and management of endangered species. At the same time, significant gaps in understanding and apparent paradoxes in pearly mussel ecology have been exposed. To conserve remaining mussel populations, scientists and managers must simultaneously and aggressively pursue both rigorous research and conservation actions.

[1]  M. R. Ross,et al.  Reproduction based on local patch size of Alasmidonta heterodon and dispersal by its darter host in the Mill River, Massachusetts, USA , 2005, Journal of the North American Benthological Society.

[2]  J. Downing,et al.  Relationship of declining mussel biodiversity to stream-reach and watershed characteristics in an agricultural landscape , 2004, Journal of the North American Benthological Society.

[3]  W. Stahel,et al.  Das Dispersionsmuster von Teichmuscheln (Anodonta) im Zürichsee , 1974, Oecologia.

[4]  Resmrch Stnfion,et al.  An extraordinary reproductive strategy in freshwater bivalves : prey mimicry to facilitate larval dispersal , 2004 .

[5]  Brian Richter,et al.  River flows and water wars: emerging science for environmental decision making , 2003 .

[6]  W. Haag,et al.  Host Fishes and Infection Strategies of Freshwater Mussels in Large Mobile Basin Streams, USA , 2003, Journal of the North American Benthological Society.

[7]  R. V. Dimock,et al.  ACQUIRED RESISTANCE OF BLUEGILL SUNFISH LEPOMIS MACROCHIRUS TO GLOCHIDIA LARVAE OF THE FRESHWATER MUSSEL UTTERBACKIA IMBECILLIS (BIVALVIA: UNIONIDAE) AFTER MULTIPLE INFECTIONS , 2003, The Journal of parasitology.

[8]  T. King,et al.  Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Lampsilis abrupta (Bivalvia: Unionidae) and cross-species amplification within the genus , 2002 .

[9]  Jess W Jones,et al.  Life History and Propagation of the Endangered Fanshell Pearlymussel, Cyprogenia stegaria Rafinesque (Bivalvia:Unionidae) , 2002, Journal of the North American Benthological Society.

[10]  J. Downing,et al.  Freshwater mussel abundance and species richness: GIS relationships with watershed land use and geology , 2002 .

[11]  G. Bauer,et al.  Ecology and Evolution of the Freshwater Mussels Unionoida , 2012, Ecological Studies.

[12]  R. Noss.  Precious Heritage: The Status of Biodiversity in the United States , 2001 .

[13]  Brian T. Watson,et al.  Life history and population biology of the endangered tan riffleshell (Epioblasma florentina walkeri) (Bivalvia: Unionidae) , 2001, Journal of the North American Benthological Society.

[14]  C. Vaughn,et al.  The functional role of burrowing bivalves in freshwater ecosystems , 2001 .

[15]  J. Downing,et al.  Length‐specific growth rates in freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae): extreme longevity or generalized growth cessation? , 2001 .

[16]  J. Downing,et al.  Exploitation trajectory of a declining fauna: a century of freshwater mussel fisheries in North America , 2001 .

[17]  Scott D. Whitney,et al.  Post-Extirpation Recovery of the Freshwater Mussel (Bivalvia: Unionidae) Fauna in the Upper Illinois River , 2001 .

[18]  S. Hamilton,et al.  Bivalve diets in a midwestern U.S. stream: A stable isotope enrichment study , 2001 .

[19]  R. Neves,et al.  Design and Evaluation of Recirculating Water Systems for Maintenance and Propagation of Freshwater Mussels , 2001 .

[20]  P. J. Boon,et al.  The effects of a major flood on an endangered freshwater mussel population , 2001 .

[21]  W. Haag,et al.  Effects of light and presence of fish on lure display and larval release behaviours in two species of freshwater mussels , 2000, Animal Behaviour.

[22]  A. C. Miller,et al.  Recruitment of Fusconaia ebena (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in Relation to Discharge of the Lower Ohio River , 2000 .

[23]  N. Fisher,et al.  Uptake of dissolved organic carbon and trace elements by zebra mussels , 2000, Nature.

[24]  D. Garling,et al.  Food-web dynamics and trophic-level interactions in a multispecies community of freshwater unionids , 2000 .

[25]  R. Dillon.  The Ecology of Freshwater Molluscs: Contents , 2000 .

[26]  C. Vaughn,et al.  Macroecology of a host‐parasite relationship , 2000 .

[27]  M. Barnhart,et al.  Effects of Temperature, pH, and CO2 on Transformation of the Glochidia of Anodonta suborbiculata on Fish Hosts and in Vitro , 1999, Journal of the North American Benthological Society.

[28]  David L. Strayer,et al.  Use of Flow Refuges by Unionid Mussels in Rivers , 1999, Journal of the North American Benthological Society.

[29]  W. Hoeh,et al.  Intraspecific phylogeography of Lasmigona subviridis (Bivalvia: Unionidae): conservation implications of range discontinuity , 1999, Molecular ecology.

[30]  G. Cowlishaw.  Predicting the Pattern of Decline of African Primate Diversity: an Extinction Debt from Historical Deforestation , 1999 .

[31]  W. Haag,et al.  Mantle displays of freshwater mussels elicit attacks from fish , 1999 .

[32]  David L. Strayer,et al.  Effects of Alien Species on Freshwater Mollusks in North America , 1999, Journal of the North American Benthological Society.

[33]  J. Layzer,et al.  Reproduction by Individuals of a Nonreproducing Population of Megalonaias nervosa (Mollusca: Unionidae) Following Translocation , 1999 .

[34]  D. Wildish.  Ecology of marine bivalves: An ecosystem approach , 1998 .

[35]  J. Downing,et al.  Locomotion in Elliptio complanata (Mollusca: Unionidae) : a reproductive function ? , 1998 .

[36]  W. A. Lellis,et al.  Release of metamorphosed juveniles by the green floater, Lasmigona subviridis , 1998 .

[37]  H. Silverman,et al.  Clearance of laboratory-cultured bacteria by freshwater bivalves: differences between lentic and lotic unionids , 1997 .

[38]  C. Vaughn.  Regional patterns of mussel species distributions in North American rivers , 1997 .

[39]  David L. Strayer,et al.  ZEBRA MUSSEL INVASION IN A LARGE, TURBID RIVER: PHYTOPLANKTON RESPONSE TO INCREASED GRAZING , 1997 .

[40]  Paul R. Hunter,et al.  Waterborne disease epidemiology and ecology , 1997 .

[41]  S. A. Ahlstedt,et al.  Status of aquatic mollusks in the southeastern United States: a downward spiral of diversity , 1997 .

[42]  D. Kristmanson,et al.  Benthic suspension feeders and flow , 1997 .

[43]  R. Dame.  Ecology of Marine Bivalves : An Ecosystem Approach , 1996 .

[44]  M. Sandheinrich,et al.  Temporal and vertical distribution of total ammonia nitrogen and un‐ionized ammonia nitrogen in sediment pore water from the upper Mississippi River , 1996 .

[45]  R. Cornett,et al.  Identification of annually produced opaque bands in the shell of the freshwater mussel Elliptio complanata using the seasonal cycle of δ18 Ο , 1996 .

[46]  W. Haag,et al.  An extraordinary reproductive strategy in freshwater bivalves: prey mimicry to facilitate larval dispersal , 1995 .

[47]  T. J. Naimo.  A review of the effects of heavy metals on freshwater mussels , 1995, Ecotoxicology.

[48]  James B. Layzer,et al.  Microhabitat use by freshwater mussels and recommendations for determining their instream flow needs , 1995 .

[49]  M. Nowak,et al.  Habitat destruction and the extinction debt , 1994, Nature.

[50]  C. Claassen.  Washboards, pigtoes, and muckets: Historic musseling in the Mississippi watershed—Introduction , 1994 .

[51]  R. Neves,et al.  Feeding and Burrowing Behaviors of Juvenile Rainbow Mussels, Villosa iris (Bivalvia:Unionidae) , 1994, Journal of the North American Benthological Society.

[52]  D. Strayer,et al.  Distribution, abundance, and roles of freshwater clams (Bivalvia, Unionidae) in the freshwater tidal Hudson River , 1994 .

[53]  D. Strayer,et al.  Microhabitat Use by an Assemblage of Stream-Dwelling Unionaceans (Bivalvia), including Two Rare Species of Alasmidonta , 1993, Journal of the North American Benthological Society.

[54]  J. Downing,et al.  Spatial Aggregation, Body Size, and Reproductive Success in the Freshwater Mussel Elliptio complanata , 1993, Journal of the North American Benthological Society.

[55]  J. Downing,et al.  Visceral Sex, Hermaphroditism, and Protandry in a Population of the Freshwater Bivalve Elliptio complanata , 1989, Journal of the North American Benthological Society.

[56]  G. Bauer,et al.  Reproductive strategy of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera , 1987 .

[57]  C. A. Butman.  Larval settlement of soft-sediment invertebrates: the spatial scales of pattern explained by active habitat selection and the emerging rôle of hydrodynamical processes , 1987 .

[58]  Carl J. Walters,et al.  Adaptive Management of Renewable Resources , 1986 .

[59]  B. Bayne.  The Effects of Stress and Pollution on Marine Animals , 1984 .

[60]  Pw Kat,et al.  Effects of population density and substratum type on growth and migration of Elliptio complanata (Bivalvia : Unionidae) , 1982 .