indicates that little or no reproduction is taking place Scaleshell and that a more chronic negative condition exists in leptodon the watershed. Despite efforts to conserve ’s native mussel fauna, many populations continue to decline. Efforts should be made to Guidelines for Landowners ensure our waterways are healthy through protection and/or restoration of habitat for this and Using Conservation Practices other aquatic .

Missouri Department of Almost all mussel species require a fish host to Conservation complete their life cycle. Mature mussels release glochidia (the immature parasitic stage), which must Common name ▪ Scaleshell attach to the gills or fins of a host to complete their Scientific name ▪ Leptodea leptodon development. After an average of 2 to 4 weeks, State Status ▪ Endangered newly developed juveniles drop from the host and Federal Status ▪ Endangered burrow into the substrate and grow to repeat the cycle if dropped into suitable habitat. The scaleshell uses the as its fish host. The scaleshell spawns from early to mid-August to October and releases glochidia from mid-April to mid-June. Ecological well-being of the host population is critical to the long-term viability of all mussel populations. In some cases, host species are also threatened or endangered. Refer also to the Best Management Practices for that host species, if applicable.

Photo Credit: M.C. Barnhart, Missouri State University Reasons for Decline Historically, scaleshell populations extended Ecology throughout river systems in much of the midwestern The scaleshell is a rather distinct mussel that was . Now, however, they are endangered historically found in 13 states within the , and are known to exist in only a few rivers in Missouri and drainage basins. It Missouri, and . Reasons for the occurred from eastward to Ohio and decline of scaleshell and other mussel species , and southward to Arkansas and include alteration and degradation of habitat as a . Missouri is now one of the last states result of rural and urban development, increases in where it can be found. In the Gasconade and pollution and sedimentation, and reductions in host basins this species inhabits clean populations. Practices such as dam construction, and associated runs with moderate current and channelization projects, improper and and firm gravel, cobble and sand substrates. It untimely sand and gravel mining, removal of trees frequently buries itself to a depth of 4 to 5 inches. and undergrowth along stream banks, and continued nonpoint source pollution (runoff) from Mussels are filter feeders that collect food particles rural and urban areas have contributed to the from the water and in doing so also remove decline of this species in Missouri. These practices unwanted toxins. A diverse, viable, and reproducing have reduced and destabilized available habitat, freshwater mussel population is an indicator of good increased stagnation of bottom waters, increased long-term water quality. Mussels are long-lived pollution and sedimentation, and are detrimental to species, and a single, acute pollution event can the mussel itself by directly harming individuals and have devastating results, requiring years for disrupting reproduction. recovery. Many mussel populations today are comprised mainly of older-aged individuals. This

Updated: January 29, 2009

The spread of zebra mussels presents another problem for native mussels. Zebra mussels can Refer to Management Recommendations for attach to and smother native mussels. Their Construction Projects Affecting Missouri Streams presence in a waterway can dramatically alter the and Rivers for recommendations on stream access ecosystem to the detriment of native species. To and staging areas, riparian corridor management, prevent the spread of this invasive species, all and bank and channel management. Follow proper equipment that enters the waterway should be sand and gravel removal procedures outlined in the washed with hot water and checked for zebra Missouri Instream Sand and Gravel Removal mussels before entering another body of water. Guidelines prepared by the Missouri Departments of Additional information about controlling the spread Conservation and Natural Resources. Guidelines of zebra mussels can be obtained from the Missouri include the following: leave a minimum 20-foot Department of Conservation. buffer zone between the water line and the excavation area, do not mine within 20 feet of Adverse Practices streamside vegetation, and do not alter stream  Dredging, channelization, gravel mining channels. activities and other practices that disturb areas or alter stream gradient in any All equipment should be washed with hot water and fashion may destroy or destabilize scaleshell checked for zebra mussels before entering the habitat and be detrimental to the mussel waterway and after removal. This will help prevent itself by directly harming individuals and the spread of this invasive species that can disrupting reproduction. negatively affect mussel species like scaleshell and  Constructing dams and other impoundment other native aquatic organisms. structures on streams that contain possible habitat for the scaleshell or its host fish. Beneficial Practices Culverts, fords, and stream crossings that  No work should be conducted below the high can create a barrier to fish passage or bank of the stream from March 15 to October restrict stream flow. 15, the spawning period of this mussel to  Overlooking erosion and ignoring sediment allow for successful reproduction and control. recruitment of scaleshell.  Unnecessary vehicle and equipment stream  Avoid constructing stream crossings. If not crossing. possible, culverts and stream crossings  Removing or degrading the riparian corridor should be constructed with the same bottom near springs and along streams, and elevation as the existing streambed to avoid uncontrolled livestock access to forested obstructing fish passage. riparian corridors and streams.  Limit livestock access to streams. Move  Unmanaged application of pesticides, watering areas into pastures and away from waste or fertilizers that destroy or degrade streams. habitats that support populations of this  Maintain and re-establish forested riparian species. corridors at least 100-feet wide along  Allowing household, industrial, and streams where this species occurs to reduce agricultural contaminants to get into nearby erosion and capture nutrient rich runoff. creeks and streams can adversely affect the Exclude livestock with fences to allow the scaleshell, and other mussel species. area to naturally re-vegetate.  Nutrient and pest management on adjacent Recommendations agricultural fields, that results in better A survey of the waterways in the project area should utilization of materials and/or reduced be conducted by a trained biologist in order to chances or runoff. identify occurring populations of this species.  Erosion and sediment control practices that Consider the balance between adverse and prevent the delivery of sediment to the beneficial practices when determining the overall aquatic system will prove beneficial to this effect of a conservation practice. species and should be implemented,

Updated: January 29, 2009

maintained and monitored for the duration of Legal the project. The Missouri Department of Conservation prepared  Use appropriate methods to prevent or these guidelines for conservation practices with contain the runoff of household, industrial or assistance from other state agencies, contractors, agricultural contaminants such as oil, and others to provide guidance to those people who gasoline, pesticides, herbicides, etc., into wish to voluntarily act to protect wildlife and habitat. nearby streams and rivers. Manage stormwater in urban areas to prevent Compliance with these management guidelines is changes in the quality and hydrology of not required by the Missouri wildlife and forestry law receiving streams. or by any regulation of the Missouri Conservation Commission. Other federal, state or local laws may Information Contacts affect construction practices.

Missouri Department of Conservation “State Endangered Status” is determined by the Policy Coordination Section Missouri Conservation Commission under P.O. Box 180 constitutional authority, and specific requirements 2901 W. Truman Blvd for impacts to such species are expressed in the Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 Missouri Wildlife Code, rule 3 CSR 10-4.111. Telephone: 573-751-4115 http://www.mdc.mo.gov/nathis/endangered/ Species listed under the Federal Endangered Missouri Department of Natural Resources Species Act must be considered in projects Division of Environmental Quality receiving federal funds or requiring permits under P.O. Box 176 the Clean Water Act, with compliance issues Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 resolved in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Telephone: 800-361-4827 / 573-751-1300 Wildlife Service. http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/index.html

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Branch 700 Federal Building 601 E. 12th Street Kansas City, MO 64106-2896 Telephone: 816-389-3990 http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Water, Wetlands, and Pesticides Division 901 North 5th Street Kansas City, KS 66101 Telephone: 913-551-7003 / 800-223-0425 http://www.epa.gov/region7/

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Services Field Office 101 Park DeVille Dr., Suite A Columbia, MO 65203 Telephone: 573-234-2132 http://www.fws.gov/midwest/partners/missouri.html

Updated: January 29, 2009