Distribution Of Mussels Research Articles

Use of Occupancy Modeling to Assess the Status and Habitat Relationships of Freshwater Mussels in the Lower Flint River, Georgia, USA

The Flint River in southwestern Georgia is known for its historically diverse mussel fauna, but the current status of the fauna is poorly known. The rediscovery of two presumed extirpated and extinct species in 2006 and 2008 exemplifies the need for a large-scale survey of the river. We used an occupancy modeling approach to estimate the presence of mussel species at 39 locations along a 119 km reach of the lower Flint River between Lake Seminole and Albany Dam. Twenty species were collected and evidence of recent reproduction was documented for 8 species. Elliptio crassidens, E. fumata/pullata, and E. nigella were the most abundant species and accounted for 43%, 40%, and 8% of the total mussels collected, respectively. Among species, mean detection probabilities averaged 0.25 and ranged from 0.01 to 0.69, whereas occupancy averaged 0.56 and ranged from 0.03 to 1. We fitted models relating site-level and sample-level habitat characteristics and site location to detection and occupancy for nine species. Detection probabilities varied among species, substrate, searcher experience, and distance from Albany Dam. Estimated occupancy varied by species and substrate composition indicating different substrate use by different species. Our modeling approach indicated that our sampling design was efficient for detecting most species with the exception of rare species. The Lower Flint River continues to harbor a widely distributed and diverse assemblage of freshwater mussels. The occupancy modeling approach used in our study was a useful and efficient method to assess the status, distribution, and habitat use of freshwater mussels in the Flint River while also providing a measure of sampling efficiency. Similar model-based study designs may be effective in other streams, particularly when sampling resources are limited.

A rapid assessment method for an invasive mollusc in an Irish lake

A rapid assessment method to evaluate the relative impact of zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, was undertaken in a 11.5 km 2 temperate lake within an Irish drumlin landscape. The lake was divided into three assessment units: the north lake, the south lake and a river section situated downstream of the two lake assessment units. Survey work was conducted as a single survey in September 2011. Following an evaluation of the mussel abundance and distribution range within each assessment unit, the Biological Pollution Level (BPL) was calculated. Additional environmental information was obtained from historical monitoring conducted by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency. The zebra mussel was rated as having a high abundance and distribution range in one lake assessment unit, was absent in the second lake assessment unit, and had a low abundance and distribution range for the river assessment unit. Ninety-three stations were surveyed in two and a half days illustrating a practical approach to monitoring which can meet legislative requirements.

Mussel Population and Distribution on Buffalo Creek, an American Eel Stocked Tributary to the West Branch Susquehanna River

ABSTRACT In 2009 the United States Fish and Wildlife Service began stocking young American eel into Buffalo Creek, a small agriculturally impacted stream that feeds into the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. The freshwater mussel Elliptio complanata is known to have higher success rates completing its life cycle using American eel as the host fish for its glochidia (Lellis et al. 2013). The objective of this study was to determine if the American eel will affect mussel populations within their first 5 years of reintroduction into Buffalo Creek and hopes to be a baseline study for future research. A total of ten sites were randomly distributed throughout Buffalo Creek with each site consisting of four 5m x 5m quadrants. In the first year of the study (2012) most mussels found were large E. complanata adults indicating that they had been present before the eel reintroduction. In 2013 we recorded almost twice as many mussels as last year and four new species (Strophitus undulates, Lampsilis cariosa, Alasmidonta marginata, and Villosa iris).

A najádok (Bivalvia: Unionidae) elterjedésének vizsgálata a Balaton-vízgyűjtő déli oldalán

The unionid mussel fauna of the complex system of waterflows, situated on the southern part of the Balaton-catchment was studied. Altogether thirty-seven sampling points on nine watercourses were sampled in order to de-scribe the mussel assemblages of these waters and to as-sess the actual distribution and abundance of chinese pond mussel (Sinanodonta woodiana) populations. Mussels were found in 46% of the localities, in six out of the nine sampled watercourses. Five native and one non-indigenous unionid mussel species were identified during the sampling campaign. The non-indigenous chinese pond mussel was the most fre-quent species, occurred in 13 sampling sites and its relative abundance was 15.5% in the whole sample. our study also revealed that fishponds are potential sources of the invasive S. woodiana in the Balaton-catchment.

The distribution of eared horse mussel, Modiolus auriculatus (KRAUSS, 1848) along the Red Sea coast of Egypt

A study on the ecology of the mussel Modiolus auriculatus that inhabits the inter-tidal rocky substrate of Hurghada area at the Red Sea coast of Egypt was carried out. A coastal survey had taken place during the period from February 2011 to January 2012; it covered the area between Ras Gharib (150km. North Hurghada City), of lat. 28° 21′ 43′′ and long. 33° 05′ 47′, and South El-Quseir of lat. 26° 05′ 53′′ and long. 34° 17′ 50′′. Eighteen sites were studied, and the surveyed species, M. auriculatus, was recorded in five stations out of those 18. The results of the survey also showed that the total number of individuals recorded at the station was 12,533 in five sites (Marine Biology station (NIOF), South El-Quseir, El-Quseir Harbor, North El-Quseir and Mangrove South Safaga); of which 12,133 of them were alive and 400 were dead. The examination of the field data sheets revealed that M. auriculatus was recorded at different types of habitats during the survey, and that each of these habitats had unique characters.

Present status and distribution of unionid mussels in Yogo-iri irrigation ditch connected to Lake Kasumigaura revealed by dredged sediment

Present status and distribution of unionid mussels in Yogo-iri irrigation ditch connected to Lake Kasumigaura revealed by dredged sediment

Modeling freshwater mussel distribution in relation to biotic and abiotic habitat variables at multiple spatial scales

The habitat requirements of many native freshwater mussels remain unclear despite their imperiled status and ecological importance. To explore scale-specific habitat associations in the three genera of mussels found in the western United States (Anodonta, Gonidea, and Margaritifera) we used a multiscale random forest modeling approach to assess functional habitat parameters throughout a 55 km segment of the upper Middle Fork John Day River in northeastern Oregon. We characterized mussel occurrence and density with respect to the hierarchical, hydrogeomorphic structure by sampling reaches of varying valley confinement and channel units nested within individual reaches. Each genus exhibited unique longitudinal trends and channel unit-use patterns. In particular, the large-scale longitudinal trends in Margaritifera occurrence were associated with hydrogeomorphic characteristics at the reach and channel unit scale, with Margaritifera densities peaking in narrow valley segments and in riffles and runs. At the scale of the channel unit, all mussel genera responded to variation in physical habitat characteristics, particularly those that indicated more stable parts of the channel. Our results suggest that spatial patterns in freshwater mussels are associated with the hierarchical structuring of the lotic ecosystem and may provide guidance to restoration efforts.

Museum guests as contributors to regional food innovation

Museums, science centres and other visitor attractions find inspiration for development from many sources, including their own guests. This article describes a guest experiment undertaken at a Danish marine science centre. It was found that mussels represent a captivating topic of interpretation with many aspects. However, guests are generally very conservative in their feedback. The benefits of involving and observing guests are primarily found in the phenomenological insight into the social contexts of food that this involvement and observation afford, particularly in the relationships between children and their parents. This study illustrates the potential of interpretative elements in more comprehensive regional line-mussel production and branding initiatives, including at the science centre and beyond. We suggest that further advanced phenomenological studies can be informative for all actors involved in regional mussel cultivation, distribution and marketing, which also include regional business actors and university partners.

Spatio-temporal spawning and larval dynamics of a zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) population in a North Texas Reservoir: implications for invasions in the southern United States

long-term monitoring program were analyzed to determine if spatio-temporal zebra mussel spawning and larval dynamics were related to physicochemical water properties in Lake Texoma. Reproductive output of the local population was significantly related to water temperature and lake elevation. Estimated mean date of first spawn in Lake Texoma was approximately 1.5 months earlier and peak veliger densities were observed two months earlier than in Lake Erie. Annual maximum veliger density declined significantly during the study period (p < 0.0001). A population crash occurred as a result of thermal stress and variability of lake elevation. In summer 2011, water temperatures peaked at 34.3°C and lake elevation declined to the lowest level recorded during the previous 18 years, which resulted in desiccation of substantial numbers of settled mussels in littoral zones. Veliger spatial distributions were associated with physicochemical stratification characteristics. Veligers were observed in the deepest oxygenated water after lake stratification, which occurred in late spring. Results of this study indicate environmental conditions can influence variability of population sizes and spatial distributions of zebra mussels along the current southern frontier of their geographic range. Although the future population size trajectory and geographic range are uncertain, increased temperatures and intermittent, extreme droughts likely will affect spatio-temporal dynamics of established populations if zebra mussels spread farther into the southern and southwestern United States.

Quantifying the ecological niche overlap between two interacting invasive species: the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and the quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis)

ABSTRACTThe zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) are two closely related invasive species. They usually occupy different habitats (e.g. shallow versus deep water) at a local scale, while occurring in the same broad regions at a large scale. The present study assesses the extent to which the habitat partitioning observed at local scales extends to niche partitioning at the global scale.Species distribution models (SDMs, using MaxEnt) were used to model the potential distributions of both species based on a set of environmental and dispersal related predictors.According to environmental SDMs calibrated with bioclimatic, geographic and geological factors, only 75% of the predicted quagga mussel distribution overlaps with the distribution of zebra mussel, demonstrating that the niches of the two species are moderately different at a global scale.Quagga mussels were found to occur at higher average temperature and lower average precipitation, leading to the prediction that their niche includes Mediterranean and arid regions such as California and southern Spain, two areas currently unaffected by zebra mussel.A second set of SDMs illustrated a notable influence of dispersal‐related factors (e.g. human population density, closeness to commercial ports and reservoirs), on quagga mussel distribution. These models suggest that the distribution of quagga mussel is more constrained by dispersal‐related factors than is the distribution of zebra mussel.Evidence suggests that economic and environmental impacts can differ between the two species; joint accurate predictions may therefore prove important for targeting precautionary management plans at the right species. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Changes in the distributions of freshwater mussels (Unionoida: Hyriidae) in coastal south‐eastern Australia and implications for their conservation status

ABSTRACT The conservation of freshwater mussels is neglected in Australia, and poor historical data may mask trends in species’ range and abundance. A combined‐evidence approach using published data, targeted surveys, historical records and a GIS‐based, reach‐scale measure of physical habitat quality was used to assess trends in the distributions of nine species in the south‐eastern coastal region. Geomorphic impairment is widespread in upland and lowland streams, but not in rugged escarpment zones, with 16.8% of rivers in ‘poor’ geomorphic condition, 39.6% in ‘moderate’ condition and 43.6% of rivers in the region in ‘good’ condition. Reductions of 44.4, 12.5 and 39.7% in site occupancy over the past 200 years were estimated for Hyridella depressa, Hyridella drapeta and Hyridella australis from logistic regression models of occupancy versus river geomorphic condition. Nonetheless, all species remain widely distributed and qualify as ‘least concern’ according to IUCN Red List criteria. Hyridella narracanensis and Hyridella glenelgensis have fragmented or limited ranges and are vulnerable to threats, and both appear to meet IUCN Red List criteria for threatened species. The former species is listed as ‘data deficient’ but arguably should be ‘vulnerable’ as documented here. The latter species is not included on the IUCN Red List. Under the Australian EPBC Act (1999), H. narracanensis is not listed while H. glenelgensis is listed as ‘critically endangered’. The Tasmanian endemic, Velesunio moretonicus, shows some evidence of decline but its population status is equivocal owing to the lack of monitoring data. It would qualify as ‘data deficient’. The three remaining species, Cucumerunio novaehollandiae, Alathyria profuga and Velesunio ambiguus are widely distributed and show no evidence of decline. Additional surveys are needed to determine the current status and spatial distribution of freshwater mussel species in the region, and to establish baselines for future monitoring. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Modelling species abundance in a river by Negative Binomial hidden Markov models

The investigation of species abundance in rivers involves data which are inherently sequential and unlikely to be fully independent. To take these characteristics into account, a Bayesian hierarchical model within the class of hidden Markov models is proposed to map the distribution of freshwater pearl mussels in the River Dee (Scotland). In order to model the overdispersed series of mussel counts, the conditional probability function of each observation, given the hidden state, is assumed to be Negative Binomial. Both the transition probabilities of the hidden Markov chain and the state-dependent means of the observed process depend on covariates obtained from a hydromorphological survey. Bayesian inference, model choice, and covariate selection based on Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms are presented. The stochastic selection of the explanatory variables which are associated with a reduced chance of finding a local mussel population provides new evidence for the causes of the deterioration of a highly threatened species.

Distribution of cryptic mussel species (Mytilus edulis and M. trossulus) along wave exposure gradients on northwest Atlantic rocky shores

We determined the distribution of two cryptic mussel species (Mytilus edulis and M. trossulus) along full gradients of wave exposure in northwest Atlantic rocky intertidal habitats. Research was conducted in Nova Scotia (Canada) and Maine (United States) and species were determined using genetic analyses. In very sheltered habitats, only M. edulis occurred. In sheltered, exposed, and very exposed habitats, both species co-existed, M. edulis predominating in Maine and M. trossulus in Nova Scotia. Hybrids were absent or rare. The distribution of mussels regardless of species (Mytilus spp.) was remarkably consistent across levels of wave exposure in both regions. In very sheltered habitats, organisms were large (4–5 cm long, on average) and old (7–8 years, on average) and occurred in low densities. In sheltered, exposed, and very exposed habitats, organisms were small (< 1 cm, on average) and young (1–2 years, on average); density was low in sheltered and very exposed habitats, but high in exposed habitats. Abundance data for predatory snails (dogwhelks, Nucella lapillus) and canopy-forming algae (Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus spp.) suggest that predation and facilitation may explain some of the observed changes in mussel population traits along the wave exposure gradients. Our results could be useful as baseline information to predict the effects of the progressive increase in wave action caused by climate change on intertidal mussel populations.

The nearshore shunt and the decline of the phytoplankton spring bloom in the Laurentian Great Lakes: insights from a three-dimensional lake model

Dreissenid mussels have been hypothesized to cause selective decreases of phytoplankton in nearshore areas (nearshore shunt hypothesis) as well as the near-complete loss of the offshore phytoplankton spring bloom in some Laurentian Great Lakes. To evaluate whether mussels can reasonably be expected to mediate such changes, we extended the three-dimensional hydrodynamic-ecological model (ELCOM-CAEDYM) to include mussels as a state variable and applied it to Lake Erie (USA-Canada). Mussel-mediated decreases in mean phytoplankton biomass were highly sensitive to the assigned mussel population size in each basin. In the relatively deep east basin, mussels were predicted to decrease phytoplankton in both nearshore and offshore zones, even during periods of thermal stratification but especially during the spring phytoplankton maximum. Spatially, impacts were associated with mussel distributions but could be strong even in areas without high mussel biomass, consistent with advection from areas of higher mussel biomass. The results supported the nearshore shunt hypothesis that mussel impacts on phytoplankton should be greater in nearshore than offshore waters and also supported suggestions about the emerging importance of deep water offshore mussels. The results of this study provide an important insight into ecological role of mussels in lowering plankton productivity in some world’s largest lakes.

Sebaran Kerang Anadara granosa Berdasarkan Kelas Ukuran Terhadap Logam Berat Cr (Chromium) Di Perairan Pantai Semarang Bagian Timur

Anadara granosais one of bivalve species, which lives in the bottom of marine waters it has a long life cycle. This species is commonly used as bioindicator in the assessment of water quality. The variety of human activities, such as settlements, ports, industries, and fishing coastal areas cause a decrease in water quality which directly affect the presence and abudance of mussels in the waters.The aimed was research to determine the relationship between the heavy metal concentration of Cr (Chromium) and size class distribution of the blood mussels (A. granosa) at Eastern Semarang Coastal Waters.The research was conducted from March to April 2012 at 8 stations in Eastern Semarang coastal waters, Semarang Central Java. The method of the research was case study with descriptive data analysis. Sampling locations were determined by purposive sampling methode.The results showed that the lowest heavy metal concentrations of Cr (Chromium) were found at Station III and IV, in front of estuaries of Benger River. They were are 13,92 mg/l for Station III and 19,60 mg/l for Station IV. The highest number of A.granosa were also found at Station III and Station IV, which was 56 and 130. The distribution pattern of A. granosa at the research locations showed a clumped pattern, and the A.granosa most dominant size found in medium class (2-3Cm).

Mapping species distributions in one dimension by non-homogeneous hidden Markov models: the case of freshwater pearl mussels in the River Dee

The investigation of species distributions in rivers involves data which are inherently sequential and unlikely to be fully independent. To take these characteristics into account, we develop a Bayesian hierarchical model for mapping the distribution of freshwater pearl mussels in the River Dee (Scotland). At the top of the hierarchy the likelihood is used to describe the sequence of sites in which mussels were observed or not. Given that false observations can occur, and that “not observed” means both that the species was not present and that it was not observed, a Markov prior is introduced at the second level of the hierarchy to represent the sequence of sites in which mussels are estimated to occur. The Markov prior allows modelling the spatial dependency between neighbouring sites. A third level in the hierarchy is given by the representation of the transition probabilities of the Markov chain in terms of site-specific explanatory variables, through a logistic regression. The selection of the explanatory variables which influence the Markov process is performed by means of a simulation-based procedure, in the complex case of association between covariates. Four features were found to be associated with reduced chance of finding a local mussel population: tributaries, bridges, dredging, and waste water treatment works. These results complement the results of a previous study, providing new evidence for the causes of the deterioration of a highly threatened species.

Distribution and Abundance of Freshwater Mussels in the mid Klamath Subbasin, California

Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionoida) are an integral component of freshwater ecosystems. Historically, they were an important part of the diet and material culture of indigenous peoples, including until recently the Karuk Tribe of California. This study represents the first systematic survey of freshwater mussels in the Klamath River Basin of northwestern California, where little is known about mussel distribution, abundance, habitat associations, or conservation status. We snorkel surveyed 82 sites on the mid Klamath River and sections of nine major tributaries to assess abundance, distribution, and habitat use of mussels at three different spatial scales. We identified all three western North American mussel genera (Margaritifera, Gonidea, and Anodonta) in the Klamath River, with Gonidea abundant and widely distributed within the mainstem, and Anodonta and Margaritifera present in low numbers and restricted in distribution. At the landscape scale we observed a negative relationship between mussel abundance and measures of hydrological variability. At the mesohabitat scale, bank type, channel unit type, and their interaction were important predictors of mussel distribution. At the microhabitat scale, bank type, substrate type, and flow refuge presence were important predictors of mussel distribution. Together, our results suggest the common influence of hydraulics and substrate stability as drivers of mussel distribution in the Klamath, which agrees with the findings of other recent studies of mussel distribution. Our results also illuminate where habitat protection and restoration efforts should be directed within the mid Klamath subbasin to aid in mussel conservation.

Invasion ratcheting in the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and the ability of native and invaded ranges to predict its global distribution

AbstractAimIn this study, we investigate changes in the environmental niche of an important pest species, the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), across its world‐wide distribution. The ability of models based on the native (Ponto‐Caspian) and invaded (Western European and North American) ranges to accurately model the potential distribution of zebra mussel elsewhere was also investigated.LocationEurope and North America.MethodsA comprehensive cross‐continental occurrence database of the zebra mussel was used to explore the species' native and invaded ranges using univariate and multivariate analyses. In addition, ecological niche models (ENMs, employing MaxEnt) were used to investigate the ability of the native and invaded ranges to describe the species' distribution elsewhere.ResultsWe found the zebra mussel to occupy different, but partly overlapping, environmental niches in the native Ponto‐Caspian region and invaded European and North American regions. Accordingly, the ENMs calibrated with the native range accurately predicted regions of early colonization in Europe and North America, but not the subsequent expansion. ENMs calibrated with data from the European range failed to describe the invaded range in North America, and vice versa. Climate suitability curves further confirmed a progressive spatio‐temporal stretching of the climatic tolerance of the zebra mussel.Main conclusionsThis study provides novel evidence of multiple episodes of niche expansion in a notorious invasive species, and supports the use of partial ranges to better understand the species' spatio‐temporal history of invasion. Separately, the native and invaded ranges provided important information regarding the species' environmental tolerance and the regions that are most suitable for first colonization, as well as identifying regions at risk in the case of a possible reintroduction. Collectively, the differences between the three ecological niche projections of the zebra mussel demonstrate that niche expansion of an invasive species within a new geographical region promotes the organism's further invasion in space and time, a process known as invasion ratcheting.

Distribution and temporal variation of mega‐fauna at the Regab pockmark (Northern Congo Fan), based on a comparison of videomosaics and geographic information systems analyses

AbstractThe Regab pockmark is a large cold seep area located 10 km north of the Congo deep sea channel at about 3160 m water depth. The associated ecosystem hosts abundant fauna, dominated by chemosynthetic species such as the mussel Bathymodiolus aff. boomerang, vestimentiferan tubeworm Escarpia southwardae, and vesicomyid clams Laubiericoncha chuni and Christineconcha regab. The pockmark was visited during the West African Cold Seeps (WACS) cruise with RV Pourquoi Pas? in February 2011, and a 14,000‐m2 high‐resolution videomosaic was constructed to map the most populated area and to describe the distribution of the dominant megafauna (mussels, tubeworms and clams). The results are compared with previous published works, which also included a videomosaic in the same area of the pockmark, based on images of the BIOZAIRE cruise in 2001. The 10‐year variation of the faunal distribution is described and reveals that the visible abundance and distribution of the dominant megafaunal populations at Regab have not changed significantly, suggesting that the overall methane and sulfide fluxes that reach the faunal communities have been stable. Nevertheless, small and localized distribution changes in the clam community indicate that it is exposed to more transient fluxes than the other communities. Observations suggest that the main megafaunal aggregations at Regab are distributed around focused zones of high flux of methane‐enriched fluids likely related to distinct smaller pockmark structures that compose the larger Regab pockmark. Although most results are consistent with the existing successional models for seep communities, some observations in the distribution of the Regab mussel population do not entirely fit into these models. This is likely due to the high heterogeneity of this site formed by the coalescence of several pockmarks. We hypothesize that the mussel distribution at Regab could also be controlled by the occurrence of zones of both intense methane fluxes and reduced efficiency of the anaerobic oxidation of methane possibly limiting tubeworm colonization.

Sea Otters Homogenize Mussel Beds and Reduce Habitat Provisioning in a Rocky Intertidal Ecosystem

Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are keystone predators that consume a variety of benthic invertebrates, including the intertidal mussel, Mytilus californianus. By virtue of their competitive dominance, large size, and longevity, M. californianus are ecosystem engineers that form structurally complex beds that provide habitat for diverse invertebrate communities. We investigated whether otters affect mussel bed characteristics (i.e. mussel length distributions, mussel bed depth, and biomass) and associated community structure (i.e. biomass, alpha and beta diversity) by comparing four regions that varied in their histories of sea otter occupancy on the west coast of British Columbia and northern Washington. Mussel bed depth and average mussel lengths were 1.5 times lower in regions occupied by otters for >20 years than those occupied for <5 yrs. Diversity of mussel bed associated communities did not differ between regions; however, the total biomass of species associated with mussel beds was more than three-times higher where sea otters were absent. We examined alternative explanations for differences in mussel bed community structure, including among-region variation in oceanographic conditions and abundance of the predatory sea star Pisaster ochraceus. We cannot discount multiple drivers shaping mussel beds, but our findings indicate the sea otters are an important one. We conclude that, similar to their effects on subtidal benthic invertebrates, sea otters reduce the size distributions of intertidal mussels and, thereby, habitat available to support associated communities. Our study indicates that by reducing populations of habitat-providing intertidal mussels, sea otters may have substantial indirect effects on associated communities.