Distribution of the Native Freshwater Mussels Anodonta nuttalliana and Margaritifera falcata in Utah and Western Wyoming Using Environmental DNA

Abstract. Native freshwater mussels have seen dramatic declines in western North America, but effective monitoring and management of these organisms can be difficult due to their cryptic nature. We used environmental DNA sampling—a sensitive, noninvasive genetic technique—to examine the contemporary distribution of 2 native freshwater mussel species, Anodonta nuttalliana and Margaritifera falcata, in Utah and western Wyoming. We sampled water bodies with historical presence, as well as additional water bodies and locations with promising habitat for the species. We detected A. nuttalliana from 39% of the 31 water bodies sampled and M. falcata from 16% of the 25 water bodies sampled. We demonstrated that environmental DNA technology is an efficient method for determining the distributions of freshwater mussels. Resumen. Mejillones de agua dulce nativos han visto reducciones dramáticas en el oeste norteamericano; sin embargo, pueden ser difícil de detectar debido a su comportamiento críptico. Usamos el ADN del ambiente, una técnica genética sensitiva y no invasiva, para examinar la distribución contemporánea de 2 especies de mejillones de agua dulce, Anodonta nuttalliana y Margaritifera falcata, en los estados de Utah y el Oeste de Wyoming. Muestreamos masas de agua con presencias históricas, así como masas de agua adicionales con hábitat para las especies. Detectamos a A. nuttalliana en 39% de 31 masas de agua muestreadas, y M. falcata de 16% de 25 masas de agua muestreadas. Demostramos que la tecnología que implica al ADN del ambiente es un método efectivo de determinar las distribuciones de los mejillones de agua dulce.

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