Abstract
Freshwater mussels are a unique guild of benthic invertebrates that are of ecological and conservation importance. Age and growth determination are essential to better understand the ecological role of mussels, and to effectively manage mussel populations. In this study, we applied dendrochronology techniques and Ford-Walford analyses to determine growth parameters of mussel species collected in three Ouachita Mountain Rivers (Kiamichi, Mountain Fork, and Little Rivers). We collected six species of mussels, Actinonaias ligamentina, Amblema plicata, Fusconaia flava, Ptychobranchus occidentalis, Quadrula pustulosa and Quadrula verrucosa, created thin sections, and analyzed the internal annuli to determine growth and longevity estimates. Annual growth was validated in 12 of the 17 populations we sampled, and the series intercorrelation for the validated populations ranged from 0.108 to 0.477. The predicted average maximum validated age was 43 years, ranging from 15 to 79 years, while the growth constant (K) ranged from 0.038 to 0.137. Growth and longevity were inversely related. Growth patterns were more synchronous at local sites compared to river and regional scales, suggesting that local environmental conditions likely influence growth rates. This study provides the first reported growth parameters for mussels in Ouachita Mountain rivers of southeastern Oklahoma and will be useful in understanding the life history traits of these mussel populations.
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call