Freshwater Mussels of Michigan Brochure
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The best time to survey for unionids is in the summer Identification of freshwater mussels takes lots of practice. when streams and rivers tend to be at their lowest, the Although there are some distinct characters that can be Freshwater Mussels water tends to be clearest, and there is a chance of seeing used for identification, many of the characters have a FOR MORE INFORMATION ON UNIONID MUSSELS lures being displayed. When choosing a site, be sure high amount of variation within species. The best way to of Michigan to use public access or get permission from private improve your identification skills is to spend time looking landowners. Also, be aware of potentially dangerous at many individuals of each species. This will enable you WEBSITES: currents and deep pools. to learn how each character varies within the species Michigan Natural Features Inventory, (including links to the Michigan Freshwater Mussel Survey Protocols and Relocation and help you to develop a memory for the overall three- Procedures, and Map of Mussel Protocol Stream Groups) Slippershell dimensional shape of the shell. Shells of the same species https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/resources/michigan-mussels Cylindrical Papershell IDENTIFICATION Mucket Elktoe are like pieces of art created by the same artist. Each one Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society Threeridge Freshwater mussels can be identified to species by the Purple Wartyback is different, yet there is a consistent theme of shape, https://molluskconservation.org/ characteristics of their shells. It is easier to identify color, and texture that holds true. Missouri State University, Unio Gallery empty shells since characters on the inside are visible. Female Figures 10–13 illustrate some common characters used For assistance in identifying mussels, contact Pete Badra, http://unionid.missouristate.edu/ Female to identify unionid species. Michigan Natural Features Inventory, [email protected], University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Mollusk Division Eastern Elliptio White Catspaw Male https://lsa.umich.edu/ummz/mollusks.html Male 517-284-6200. Pimpleback Spike Wabash Pigtoe Northern Riffleshell Snuffbox Lateral teeth Cardinal teeth Iridescent nacre LITERATURE: Mulcrone, R.S. and J.E. Rathbun. 2018. Field Guide to the Female Beak Freshwater Mussels of Michigan. Michigan Department of Reduced lateral teeth Natural Resources, 59pp. Reduced cardinal Female teeth Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society. 2016. A national Creek Heelsplitter strategy for the conservation of native freshwater mollusks. Male Freshwater Mollusk Biology and Conservation 19: 1-21. Annular rings Plain pocketbook White Heelsplitter Wavy-rayed Lampmussel Male Haag, W.R. 2012. North American Freshwater Mussels: Natural History, Ecology, and Conservation. Cambridge University Press, Posterior Anterior Fatmucket Flutes New York, 505pp. Watters, G.T., M.A. Hoggarth, D.H. Stansbery. 2009. The Rays Freshwater Mussels of Ohio. The Ohio State University Press, Figure 10: Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea) Columbus, 421pp. Three-horned Wartyback Burch, J.B. 1975. Freshwater Unionacean Clams (Mollusca: Fluted-shell Black Sandshell Fragile Papershell Eastern Pondmussel Pelecypoda) of North America. Malacological Publications, Figure 11: Fluted-shell (Lasmigona costata) Hamburg, Michigan. 204pp. Lateral teeth absent Cardinal teeth absent Round Hickorynut Hickorynut Clubshell Round Pigtoe This brochure was produced by the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Pink Heelsplitter Michigan State University Extension. Funding was provided by the Michigan Heavy lateral teeth Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; the Michigan Department Heavy cardinal teeth Thin, fragile shell of Natural Resources; and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Additional copies of this brochure and its companion poster, “Freshwater Mussels of Michigan,” can be obtained from: Pink Papershell Kidney-shell Michigan Natural Features Inventory Lake Floater Michigan State University Extension Giant Floater [email protected] Purple nacre 517-284-6200 https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/ Thick, heavy shell Salamander Mussel Purple Lilliput Lilliput Fawnsfoot Deertoe MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity institution. Strange Floater Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, Mapleleaf Figure 12: Giant floater (Pyganodon grandis) Bumps national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status. Author: Peter J. Badra, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Michigan State University Extension Design and production: brendajsanborn.com Shells pictured on the cover and in figures 10-15 provided by the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Rayed Bean Ellipse Rainbow Mollusk Division, except for lake floater, which was provided by Dr. David Zanatta, Central Michigan University. Paper Pondshell Figure 5 provided by Karl J. Scheidegger Figures 6 and 7 provided by M. Christopher Barnhart Figure 13: Purple wartyback (Cyclonaias tuberculata) Copyright 2020, Michigan State University Board of Trustees TM While the tropics are known for their diverse insect and plant communities, eastern North These structures act as Mussel species richness and fish species richness are related. have caused declines in native unionid mussels. These These include: lures that attract host fish. Rivers with lots of fish species tend to have lots of mussel factors have also impacted the fish species unionid America is home to some of the richest freshwater animal communities in the world. The — Increase knowledge of their distribution and taxonomy There are two types of species and rivers with few fish species tend to have few mussels rely on as hosts. Without the appropriate host United States in particular has more species of mussels, crayfish, snails, stoneflies, mayflies, lures: mantle flap lures mussel species. Because unionids are sensitive to changes species present in sufficient densities, the unionid life — Address past, ongoing, and emerging impacts that resemble small fish in habitat quality, the status of unionids can be indicative cycle cannot be completed. and caddisflies than any other country. There are nearly 300 species of freshwater mussels — Conserve the quantity and quality of suitable habitat (Figure 6), crayfish of the biological integrity of river ecosystems as a whole. Barriers to fish migration, such as dams and degraded (Unionidae) in eastern North America, with 43 species occurring in Michigan. (Figure 7), worms, or — Understand their ecology insects; and conglutinate Figure 7 Unionid communities in southern Michigan once had habitat, also act as barriers to the dispersal of unionid lures that are masses of glochidia clumped together and economic value. In the early 1900s, live unionids were glochidia that have hitched a ride on the fish host. These — Restore abundant and diverse populations This brochure focuses on unionid mussels, however LIFE HISTORY resemble small fish or worms. harvested from large rivers to support the pearl button barriers can inhibit the re-colonization of native mussels — Identify the ecosystem services provided by mollusks there are a total of four families of bivalves that live in industry (Figure 8). A rapid decline of unionid mussels into suitable habitat, threaten genetic diversity through and their habitats the streams and lakes of Michigan: freshwater mussels How do mussels reproduce? When fish bite the lure, glochidia are released, which gives due to harvest pressure was documented in the 1930s. In lack of gene flow, and prevent their recovery. the glochidia a much better chance of attaching to a host response, the Michigan Department of — Strengthen advocacy for mollusks and their habitats (Unionidae), fingernail or pea clams (Sphaeriidae), 3 enlarged Forested riparian zones help maintain a balanced energy than if they were released into the water without a fish Natural Resources, then known as — Educate and train the conservation community Asian clams (Corbiculidae), and zebra and quagga glochidia input to the aquatic system, provide habitat for fish hosts (parasitic) present. Lures are often displayed in mid to late summer. the Michigan Conservation and future generations of resource managers and mussels (Dreissenidae). in the form of large woody debris, reduce the input of fine Glochidia complete metamorphosis and drop off their host Commission, closed the harvest researchers attach to gill particles by stabilizing the stream banks with roots, Unionid mussels are of particular filament of in the adult form after a period of time ranging from a week for a period of five years beginning attach host fish 2 and provide shade that regulates water temperature. The status of mussel populations tends to reflect the health interest because of their unique life to fin 4 to several months, depending on the mussel species. Adults in 1944 to allow the resource to female Figure 8 Management techniques such as conservation tillage, history, importance to aquatic free-living juveniles sperm range from one to eight inches in length. Since adult mussels recover. By the end of the 1940s, much of of the aquatic ecosystem as a whole. A more complete grow and mature maintaining or planting grass filter strips along streams ecosystems, and use as indicators of in place 1 move relatively little throughout their lifetime, the ride the demand for unionid shell had subsided due to understanding of the status, distribution, and ecology of change