0313000804 Horseshoe Bend-Flint River HUC 8 Watershed: Lower Flint

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

0313000804 Horseshoe Bend-Flint River HUC 8 Watershed: Lower Flint Georgia Ecological Services U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2/9/2021 HUC 10 Watershed Report HUC 10 Watershed: 0313000804 Horseshoe Bend-Flint River HUC 8 Watershed: Lower Flint Counties: Baker, Mitchell Major Waterbodies (in GA): Flint River, Long Pond, Basin Pond, Rockhole Pond, Jones Pond Federal Listed Species: (historic, known occurrence, or likely to occur in the watershed) E - Endangered, T - Threatened, C - Candidate, CCA - Candidate Conservation species, PE - Proposed Endangered, PT - Proposed Threatened, Pet - Petitioned, R - Rare, U - Uncommon, SC - Species of Concern. Fat Three-ridge (Amblema neislerii) US: E; GA: E Occurrence; Critical Habitat; Survey period: year round, when water temperatures are above 10° C and excluding when stage is increasing or above normal. Purple Bankclimber (Elliptoideus sloatianus) US: T; GA: T Occurrence; Critical Habitat; Survey period: year round, when water temperatures are above 10° C and excluding when stage is increasing or above normal. Shinyrayed Pocketbook (Hamiota subangulata) US: E; GA: E Occurrence; Critical Habitat; Survey period: year round, when water temperatures are above 10° C and excluding when stage is increasing or above normal. Gulf Moccasinshell (Medionidus penicillatus) US: E; GA: E Occurrence; Critical Habitat; Survey period: year round, when water temperatures are above 10° C and excluding when stage is increasing or above normal. Oval Pigtoe (Pleurobema pyriforme) US: E; GA: E Occurrence; Critical Habitat; Survey period: year round, when water temperatures are above 10° C and excluding when stage is increasing or above normal. Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) US: T; GA: E Potential Range (county); Survey period: early May Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) US: E; GA: E Potential Range (county); Survey period: habitat any time of year or foraging individuals: 1 Apr - 31 May. Updated: 2/9/2021 0313000804 Horseshoe Bend-Flint River 1 Georgia Ecological Services U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2/9/2021 HUC 10 Watershed Report Reticulated Flatwoods Salamander (Ambystoma bishopi) US: E; GA: E HUC 10 Watershed: Potential Range (county); Survey period: for larvae 15 Feb - 15 Mar. Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) US: T; GA: T Potential Range (model); Survey period: 1 Nov - 31 Mar. Pondberry (Lindera melissifolia) US: E; GA: E Potential Range (soils, watershed); Survey period: flowering 1 Feb - 31 Mar or fruiting 1 Aug - 31 Oct. American Chaffseed (Schwalbea americana) US: E; GA: E Potential Range (soil type, watershed); Survey period: for larvae or aquatic adults between 1 Apr - 30 Jun. Cooley's Meadowrue (Thalictrum cooleyi) US: E; GA: E Potential Range (county); Survey period: mid May - early Jul. Relict Trillium (Trillium reliquum) US: E; GA: E Potential Range (county); Survey period: flowering 15 Mar - 30 Apr. Use of a nearby reference site to more accurately determine local flowering period is recommended. Federal Candidate, Candidate Conservation, or Petitioned Species: (likely or known to occur in the watershed) Halloween Darter (Percina crypta) US: Pet; GA: T Occurrence; Survey period: 1 May - 30 Nov (only when water temperatures are above 10°C). Delicate Spike (Elliptio arctata) US: Pet; GA: E Occurrence; Survey period: year round, when water temperatures are above 10° C and excluding when stage is increasing or above normal. Rayed Creekshell (Strophitus (Anodontoides) radiatus) US: Pet; GA: T Occurrence; Survey period: year round, when water temperatures are above 10° C and excluding when stage is increasing or above normal. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) US: Pet Occurrence; Surveys are best conducted April - November. Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) US: C; GA: T Occurrence; Survey period: Year-round Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) US: Pet; GA: T Occurrence; Survey period: 1 Mar - 30 Nov. Florida Pine Snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus) US: Pet Occurrence; Surveys are best conducted spring (May – June) or fall (September – October). May also be conducted Updated: 2/9/2021 0313000804 Horseshoe Bend-Flint River 2 Georgia Ecological Services U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2/9/2021 HUC 10 Watershed Report HUCduring 10 Watershed July and August,: or in warmer periods of late March and April. Small-flower Meadow-beauty (Rhexia parviflora) US: Pet Occurrence; Surveys are best conducted during flowering (July–September). Use of a nearby reference site to more accurately determine local flowering period is recommended. Hall's Bulrush (Scirpus hallii) US: Pet Occurrence; Survey period: fruiting (Sep - Oct) Swamp Buckthorn (Sideroxylon thornei) US: Pet; GA: R Occurrence; Survey period: flowering 1 May - 31 Jul. State Listed or Other At-risk Species: (likely or known to occur in the watershed) Spotted Bullhead (Ameiurus serracanthus) GA: R Occurrence; Please consult with GDNR for survey efforts. Bluestripe Shiner (Cyprinella callitaenia) GA: R Occurrence; Please consult with GDNR for survey efforts. Winged Spike (Elliptio nigella) SC Occurrence; Please consult with GDNR for survey efforts. Inflated Spike (Elliptio purpurella) GA: T Occurrence; Survey period: year round, when water temperatures are above 10° C and excluding when stage is increasing or above normal. Bachman's Sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis) GA: R Occurrence; Please consult with GDNR for survey efforts. Striped Newt (Notophthalmus perstriatus) GA: T Potential Range (county); Survey period: for larvae or aquatic adults between 1 Apr - 30 Jun. Barbour's Map Turtle (Graptemys barbouri) GA: T Occurrence; Survey period: 1 Apr - 30 Sep. Southern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon simus) GA: T Occurrence; Survey period: Surveys not practical. Southeastern Pocket Gopher (Geomys pinetis) GA: T Occurrence; Please consult with GDNR for survey efforts. Velvet Sedge (Carex dasycarpa) GA: R Updated: 2/9/2021 0313000804 Horseshoe Bend-Flint River 3 Georgia Ecological Services U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2/9/2021 HUC 10 Watershed Report Occurrence; Please consult with GDNR for survey efforts. HUC 10 Watershed: Silky Morning-Glory (Evolvulus sericeus var. sericeus) GA: E Occurrence; Please consult with GDNR for survey efforts. Corkwood (Leitneria floridana) GA: T Occurrence; Please consult with GDNR for survey efforts. Any of the above species may occur in suitable habitat in this HUC 10 watershed. Survey dates are provided for reference only. Please coordinate with your lead federal agency, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, or USFWS to determine if surveys will help assess project impacts to species of concern. Watershed Specific Concerns: There are federally listed aquatic/wetland and terrestrial species that occur or could occur in this watershed. If the project contains suitable habitat for listed species, please contact your lead federal agency to determine the appropriate next step for those species to inform their NEPA and ESA decisions. Coordination with Georgia Department of Natural Resources may also be helpful in those decisions. Critical Habitat: There is Critical Habitat designated under the Endangered Species Act for at least one species in this watershed. Please see the list above to determine which species. Please coordinate with our office to determine if your project will impact this habitat. Reticulated Flatwoods Salamander: Suitable habitat includes isolated depressional wetlands located in pine flatwoods. If this habitat occurs in the vicinity of the project area, it may represent potential breeding sites for this species. Minimizing impacts to wetland and pond habitats including impacts caused by fill, draining, and altered hydrology in areas where this species occurs can assist with its recovery. Striped Newt: The striped newt has an aquatic adult and terrestrial form called an "eft". The larvae are aquatic. The species is associated with longleaf pine - wiregrass communities in sandhills and pine flatwoods. The aquatic stages of its life cycle require ephemeral wetlands and ponds. Aquatic individuals are found to associate with emergent and submerged vegetation. Terrestrial forms will disperse between natal habitats and breeding ponds. Minimizing impacts to wetland and pond habitats including impacts caused by fill, draining, and altered hydrology in areas where this species occurs can assist with its recovery. Wood Stork: The Wood Stork feeds in shallow emergent wetlands, ditches, pond margins, and coastal areas. The successful fledging of chicks from the nest is dependent on adults finding sufficient foraging areas that contain prey species. Minimizing potential impacts and ensuring water quality is preserved or enhanced is vital to the successful recovery of this species. If the project area is located within the Core Foraging Area (13 mile radius) of a Wood Stork rookery, additional considerations may be requested for unavoidable impacts to foraging and nesting habitats. Red-cockaded Woodpecker: Red-cockaded Woodpecker requires large expanses of mature (approximately 60-80 years old or older), open pine forest, preferably longleaf, slash, or loblolly pine or younger forests with artificial nesting cavities. Natural nest cavities are excavated in mature living pines and may take several years to complete. Red-cockaded woodpecker colonies require large, contiguous tracts of habitat, ranging in size from approximately 60-600 acres per family group, depending upon the quality of the habitat. Currently, its range is fragmented and most populations are found on public lands where timber harvesting has not been maximized. Aquatics: Several
Recommended publications
  • Demography of Freshwater Mussels Within the Lower Flint River
    DEMOGRAPHY OF FRESHWATER MUSSELS WITHIN THE LOWER FLINT RIVER BASIN, SOUTHWEST GEORGIA by JUSTIN C. DYCUS (Under the Direction of Robert Bringolf) ABSTRACT Environmental and spatial variation can potentially influence mussel populations through acute and chronic mechanisms. The objectives of this study were to identify and quantify the chronic factors affecting freshwater mussel growth. Live mussels were collected within the lower Flint River Basin, sacrificed, and their shells were thin-sectioned. Thin sections revealed the production of internal annuli, which were used to determine individual ages and estimate annual growth. I evaluated the relation between annual growth and presumed variables responsible for altering growth using mixed linear models. Growth was indicated to vary in relation to seasonal streamflow, species, age, tagging, channel confinement, and physiographic province. The effect of tagging should be accounted for in subsequent mark-recapture studies, and species- and site- specific characteristics should be considered when implementing management decisions to prevent future harm to freshwater mussel populations. INDEX WORDS: Thin Section, Annuli, Freshwater Mussel, Streamflow, Umbo, Villosa lienosa, Villosa vibex, Elliptio crassidens DEMOGRAPHY OF FRESHWATER MUSSELS WITHIN THE LOWER FLINT RIVER BASIN, SOUTHWEST GEORGIA By JUSTIN C. DYCUS A.S., Sandhills Community College, 2006 B.S., North Carolina State University, 2008 A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of The University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF SCIENCE ATHENS, GEORGIA 2011 © 2011 JUSTIN CHARLES DYCUS All Rights Reserved DEMOGRAPHY OF FRESHWATER MUSSELS WITHIN THE LOWER FLINT RIVER BASIN, SOUTHWEST GEORGIA By JUSTIN C. DYCUS Major Professor: Robert Bringolf Committee: James T.
    [Show full text]
  • Gulf Moccasinshell (Mussel)
    Gulf moccasinshell (mussel) Medionidus penicillatus Taxonomic Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Bivalvia Order: Unionoida Family: Unionidae Genus/Species: Medionidus penicillatus Common Name: Gulf moccasinshell Listing Status Federal Status: Endangered FL Status: Federally-designated Endangered FNAI Ranks: G2/S2 (Imperiled) IUCN Status: CR (Critically Endangered) Physical Description The Gulf moccasinshell is a small freshwater mussel that can reach a length of 2.2 inches (5.5 centimeters). This species has an oval-shaped shell that is greenish-brown with marks of green rays on the outer shell and green or dark purple on the inner shell. The valves are thin and contain two teeth in the left valve and one in the right (University of Georgia 2008, Florida Natural Areas Inventory 2001). Life History The Gulf moccasinshell is a filter feeder (filters food out of water). This species’ diet primarily consists of plankton and detritus (dead organic matter). Little is known about the reproduction of the Gulf moccasinshell. It is believed that males release sperm in the water and females receive the sperm through a siphon. Eggs are fertilized in the female’s shell and the glochidia (larvae) release into the water. The larvae attach to the gills or fins of a host fish to develop (University of Georgia 2008). When the larvae are developed they release from the fish and settle in their primary habitat. Gulf Moccasinshell Mussel 1 | Page Habitat & Distribution The Gulf moccasinshell inhabits creeks and large rivers with moderate currents that have a sandy or gravel floor. This species is known to be found in Ecofina Creek and the Chipola River in northwest Florida, and the Flint River in southwest Georgia.
    [Show full text]
  • SCIENTIFIC COLLECTING PERMITS Valid: One Year from Date of Issuance Resident - Nonresident
    SCP – Page 1 SCIENTIFIC COLLECTING PERMITS Valid: one year from date of issuance Resident - Nonresident Alabama Game, Fish and Wildlife Law; Article 12; beginning with 9-11-231 PRIVILEGE: • An INDIVIDUAL, EDUCATIONAL OR AGENCY SCP authorizes permit holder to collect any wild invertebrate or vertebrate species or their eggs in this state for propagation or scientific purposes. • A FEDERAL / STATE PROTECTED SCP authorizes permit holder to collect endangered / protected species (copy of USFWS permit must be submitted if required by federal law). PERMITS TYPES: • INDIVIDUAL SCP: for an individual collector. • EDUCATIONAL SCP: for a professor/teacher and their current students. • AGENCY MEMBER SCP: for an agency and their current members. • FEDERAL / STATE PROTECTED SCP: Issued in addition to an Individual, Educational or Agency SCP. STUDENTS / AGENCY MEMBERS: • Each student / agency member must complete the Educational & Agency SCP Dependent Information Form and be approved to work under an Educational or Agency SCP. (See The SCP section online at https://www.outdooralabama.com/licenses/commercial-licenses-permits) COLLECTIONS: • A SCP Collection Data Form must be completed and faxed for approval prior to any scheduled collection. (See The SCP section online at https://www.outdooralabama.com/licenses/commercial-licenses-permits) • Annual reports required. Must be submitted prior to renewal requests. RESTRICTIONS: • Must have a SCP to obtain a Federal / State Protected Species permit. • Federal / State Protected permit must meet strict guidelines prior to issuance. • No species collected are to be sold. NOTE: • Electronic system processes all applications and reports. • For areas under Marine Resources jurisdiction, call (251) 861-2882. • Applicant should allow 3 weeks for processing and issuance.
    [Show full text]
  • Georgia Ecological Services U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service HUC 10
    Georgia Ecological Services U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2/9/2021 HUC 10 Watershed Report HUC 10 Watershed: 0313000514 Beaver Creek-Flint River HUC 8 Watershed: Upper Flint Counties: Crawford, Macon, Peach, Taylor, Upson Major Waterbodies (in GA): Flint River, Beaver Creek, Avery Creek, Griffin Branch, Little Vine Creek, Mathews Creek Federal Listed Species: (historic, known occurrence, or likely to occur in the watershed) E - Endangered, T - Threatened, C - Candidate, CCA - Candidate Conservation species, PE - Proposed Endangered, PT - Proposed Threatened, Pet - Petitioned, R - Rare, U - Uncommon, SC - Species of Concern. Fat Three-ridge (Amblema neislerii) US: E; GA: E Floodplain; Survey period: year round, when water temperatures are above 10° C and excluding when stage is increasing or above normal. Purple Bankclimber (Elliptoideus sloatianus) US: T; GA: T Occurrence; Critical Habitat; Survey period: year round, when water temperatures are above 10° C and excluding when stage is increasing or above normal. Shinyrayed Pocketbook (Hamiota subangulata) US: E; GA: E Occurrence; Critical Habitat; Survey period: year round, when water temperatures are above 10° C and excluding when stage is increasing or above normal. Gulf Moccasinshell (Medionidus penicillatus) US: E; GA: E Occurrence; Critical Habitat; Survey period: for larvae or aquatic adults between 1 Apr - 30 Jun. Oval Pigtoe (Pleurobema pyriforme) US: E; GA: E Occurrence; Critical Habitat; Survey period: year round, when water temperatures are above 10° C and excluding when stage is increasing or above normal. Pondberry (Lindera melissifolia) US: E; GA: E Occurrence; Survey period: flowering 1 Feb - 31 Mar or fruiting 1 Aug - 31 Oct. Green Pitcherplant (Sarracenia oreophila) US: E; GA: E Occurrence; Survey period: flowering 1 May - 30 Jun.
    [Show full text]
  • Suwannee Moccasinshell
    Medionidus walkeri (Wright 1897) Suwannee Moccasinshell Medionidus walkeri – USNM 150506: length 43 mm. Suwannee River, Ellaville, Madison County, Florida, Suwannee River basin. Photo by J.D. Williams. Original Description Unio walkeri B.H. Wright 1897. Lectotype (Simpson 1900), USNM 150506: length 43 mm. Type locality: reported as Suwannee River, Madison County, Florida, restricted by Johnson (1967) to Suwannee River, Ellaville, Madison [Suwannee] County, Florida, [Suwannee River basin]. Synonymy There are no synonyms of Medionidus walkeri. Taxonomic History Medionidus walkeri was originally described by B.H. Wright (1897) as a valid species. It was subsequently considered to be a synonym of Medionidus penicillatus (Clench and Turner 1956). It was removed from synonymy of M. penicillatus and recognized as a valid species by Johnson (1977). Medionidus walkeri has generally been regarded as a Suwannee River basin endemic. However, there is a single record of M. walkeri from Hillsborough River in the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology (UMMZ)—Morris Bridge, U.S. Highway 301, collected by T.H. Van Hyning in 1932. This disjunct population extends the range of M. walkeri southward into peninsular Florida. 2 Description Shell: length to 53 mm; thin to moderately thick; smooth, occasionally with sculpture posteriorly; moderately inflated, width usually 2.2–2.8 times into length; outline oval; anterior margin rounded; posterior margin obliquely truncate to narrowly rounded; dorsal margin straight to convex; ventral margin straight to convex, large individuals occasionally arcuate; posterior ridge moderately sharp dorsally, rounded posterioventrally; posterior slope moderately steep, with corrugations extending from posterior ridge to posteriodorsal margin, occasionally extending anterioventrally on shell disk in some individuals; umbo broad, moderately inflated, elevated slightly above hinge line; umbo sculpture 4–6 looped ridges, first 2–4 with slight indentation ventrally, angular across posterior ridge; umbo cavity wide, shallow.
    [Show full text]
  • Common Name: GULF MOCCASINSHELL Scientific Name
    Gulf moccasinshell (Medionidus penicillatus) 48 mm (1 inches). Unknown location. Photo by Jason Wisniewski, GA DNR. Specimen provided by the McClung Museum courtesy of Gerry Dinkins. Common Name: GULF MOCCASINSHELL Scientific Name: Medionidus penicillatus Lea Other Commonly Used Names: none Previously Used Scientific Names: none Family: Unionidae Rarity Ranks: G1/S1 State Legal Status: Endangered Federal Legal Status: Endangered Description: Shell profile is sub-rhomboidal to elliptical in outline. Shell rather delicate with a maximum length of approximately 55 mm (2¼ inches). Anterior margin broadly rounded while posterior margin is pointed and terminates near the posterior-ventral margin. Ventral margin is straight to slightly arcuate. Umbos positioned anterior of the middle of the valves and elevated to or just slightly above the hingeline. Posterior ridge is sharply developed with well developed plications present on the posterior slope. Pseudocardinal teeth are short and triangular while lateral teeth are slightly curved. The periostracum is yellow with fine, broken rays radiating from the umbo to the margin of the shell. Nacre color typically white. Similar Species: None Habitat: Typically occupies small streams to large rivers with moderate flow and sandy substrates. This species has also been found in gravel and cobble substrates. Diet: The diets of unionids are poorly understood but are believed to consist of algae and/or bacteria. Some studies suggest that diets may change throughout the life of a unionid with juveniles collecting organic materials from the substrate though pedal feeding and then developing the ability to filter feed during adulthood. Life History: Gravid females have been collected in Georgia from early spring to mid-summer.
    [Show full text]
  • Historic and Current Unionid Mussel Distribution in Tributaries
    Distribution of Unionid Mussels in Tributaries of the Lower Flint River, Southwestern Georgia: An Examination of Current and Historical Trends. Charlotte A. Chastain 1, Stephen W. Golladay 1, and Tara K. Muenz1 ______________________________________________________________________________________ AUTHORS: 1 J.W. Jones Ecological Research Center, Route 2, Box 2324, Newton, GA 39870 REFERENCE: Proceedings of the 2005 Georgia Water Resources Conference, held April 25-27 at the University of Georgia. Kathryn J. Hatcher, editor, Institute Ecology, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Abstract. The historically diverse assemblage of From 1999-2001, southwest Georgia experienced a freshwater mussels in the Flint River Basin (FRB) has record drought. Drought conditions were most severe shown declines in abundance and distribution. The mid- during the summer of 2000 and resulted in stressful reaches of the major tributaries of the Flint River habitat conditions for mussels. Perennial streams went dry contained one of the richest assemblages of mussels in the throughout the region, while other stream segments southeastern Coastal Plain. Declines in mussel became intermittent with aquatic habitat limited to assemblages were accelerated by the recent drought that isolated pools. Headwater sections in some locations occurred during 1999-2001. Following the drought, we sustained flow, while downstream sections stagnated surveyed mussel populations at selected sites in the major (Johnson et al., 2001, Golladay et al., 2002). In other tributaries of the Flint River to determine if declines in locations, primarily larger streams, flowing water abundance and distribution were continuing. Many persisted throughout the drought, but water levels dropped populations of common, rare, and endangered species to unprecedented lows (USGS 2000).
    [Show full text]
  • Aquatic Survey Protocols for Transportation Projects Within the State of Georgia
    Aquatic Survey Protocols for Transportation Projects within the State of Georgia GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of Environmental Services November 2018 TABLE of CONTENTS Section I. Introduction Section II. Fish and Crayfish Survey Protocols Section III. Mussel Survey Protocol Section IV. Snail Survey Protocol Appendices Section I. INTRODUCTION November 2018 I. DETERMINING THE NEED FOR AN AQUATIC SPECIES SURVEY A. Project Types/Activities Requiring an Aquatic Species Survey In general, aquatic surveys should be considered when construction or maintenance activities require work within or will result in impacts to water resources where state or federally protected species may occur. These activities could include, but are not limited to, bridge replacement/demolition, culvert replacement or extension, installation of boat ramps, and installation of temporary construction structures (e.g. coffer dams, rock jetties, work bridges). Aquatic surveys should also be considered for activities that involve ground disturbance within stream buffers, but do not necessarily include work within the water. Maintenance activities that do not require access within the water, such as co-polymer overlay and superstructure painting, do not typically warrant an aquatic survey. Consult the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) ecologist if questions arise as to whether a particular project or activity might necessitate an aquatic survey. B. Steps for Determining When an Aquatic Species Survey is Appropriate The steps for determining the need for an initial aquatic survey are enumerated below. Guidance for determining the need for re-surveys follows. 1. Identify state and federally protected aquatic species potentially occurring within the project area from early coordination responses Prior to any aquatic surveys, early coordination shall be completed with the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • "[Click Here and Type the TITLE of YOUR WORK in All Caps
    INVESTIGATION OF FRESHWATER MUSSEL PHYSIOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY TO INFORM CONSERVATION by ANDREA KAY FRITTS (Under the Direction of Robert B. Bringolf) ABSTRACT Filter feeding freshwater mussels (order Unionoida) fulfill an important ecological niche, but a suite of anthropogenic perturbations have made them the most imperiled faunal group in North America. Threats to mussels include habitat degradation, pollution, and alterations to natural flow regimes. The Apalachicola- Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin is a watershed under increasing pressure from human populations and is also home to a diverse assemblage of aquatic organisms including five federally listed mussel species. The federal recovery plan for these species outlines specific research objectives that will better equip scientists and managers with the necessary tools to protect and restore populations of these species. This dissertation has focused on addressing some of these critical data gaps by investigating the ecological relevance of the sodium chloride glochidia viability test, conducting host determination trials for the Purple Bankclimber mussel (Elliptoideus sloatianus), and developing nonlethal methods for assessing the physiological response of mussels to various stress events. Freshwater mussels are characterized by a unique lifecycle in which the glochidia larvae must attach to a vertebrate host to metamorphose into a juvenile mussel. This larval stage is used in toxicity testing to evaluate the effects of contaminants on freshwater mussels and for the derivation of water quality criteria. My results indicated that the viability of glochidia as measured by the sodium chloride test is an ecologically relevant measure of the health of glochidia. The discovery of Gulf Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) as the primary hosts for Purple Bankclimber mussels has supplied important information for the preservation and management of wild mussel populations as well as providing the necessary data to initiate captive propagation.
    [Show full text]
  • A Revised List of the Freshwater Mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionida) of the United States and Canada
    Freshwater Mollusk Biology and Conservation 20:33–58, 2017 Ó Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society 2017 REGULAR ARTICLE A REVISED LIST OF THE FRESHWATER MUSSELS (MOLLUSCA: BIVALVIA: UNIONIDA) OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA James D. Williams1*, Arthur E. Bogan2, Robert S. Butler3,4,KevinS.Cummings5, Jeffrey T. Garner6,JohnL.Harris7,NathanA.Johnson8, and G. Thomas Watters9 1 Florida Museum of Natural History, Museum Road and Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611 USA 2 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, MSC 1626, Raleigh, NC 27699 USA 3 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 212 Mills Gap Road, Asheville, NC 28803 USA 4 Retired. 5 Illinois Natural History Survey, 607 East Peabody Drive, Champaign, IL 61820 USA 6 Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, 350 County Road 275, Florence, AL 35633 USA 7 Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, State University, AR 71753 USA 8 U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, 7920 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32653 USA 9 Museum of Biological Diversity, The Ohio State University, 1315 Kinnear Road, Columbus, OH 43212 USA ABSTRACT We present a revised list of freshwater mussels (order Unionida, families Margaritiferidae and Unionidae) of the United States and Canada, incorporating changes in nomenclature and systematic taxonomy since publication of the most recent checklist in 1998. We recognize a total of 298 species in 55 genera in the families Margaritiferidae (one genus, five species) and Unionidae (54 genera, 293 species). We propose one change in the Margaritiferidae: the placement of the formerly monotypic genus Cumberlandia in the synonymy of Margaritifera. In the Unionidae, we recognize three new genera, elevate four genera from synonymy, and place three previously recognized genera in synonymy.
    [Show full text]
  • Life History Observations and Determination of Potential Host Fish Species for Chipola Slabshell, Elliptio Chipolaensis
    Columbus State University CSU ePress Theses and Dissertations Student Publications 12-2008 Life History Observations and Determination of Potential Host Fish Species for Chipola Slabshell, Elliptio chipolaensis Lisa Preister Columbus State University Follow this and additional works at: https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/theses_dissertations Part of the Earth Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Preister, Lisa, "Life History Observations and Determination of Potential Host Fish Species for Chipola Slabshell, Elliptio chipolaensis" (2008). Theses and Dissertations. 65. https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/theses_dissertations/65 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Publications at CSU ePress. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of CSU ePress. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from LYRASIS Members and Sloan Foundation http://archive.org/details/lifehistoryobserOOprei Columbus State University The College of Science The Graduate Program in Environmental Science Life History Observations and Determination of Potential Host Fish Species for Chipola Slabshell, EUiptio chipolaensis A Thesis in Environmental Science by Lisa Preister Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science December 2008 ) 2008 by Lisa Preister I have submitted this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. s ,j/iiM/.-. Date Lisa Preister We approve the thesis of Lisa Preister as presented here. ft j\\ 2<3<r£ Date George Stanton, Thesis Advisor, Professor of Biology f '/ 2Uo O<Z -^^C,,^^J^^^-J Date William Birkhead, Professor of Biology /2, "/o r David Schwimmer, Professor of Geology 1 2/I1M A Carson Stringfellow, ( J Assistant Professor of Bitflfigy Abstract North America is home to nearly 300 species of freshwater mussels with approximately 80% being found in the southeastern United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Simulatef Effects of Ground-Water Pumpage on Stream-Aquifer Flow in the Vicinity of Federally Protected Species of Freshwater Mu
    Simulated Effects of Ground-Water Pumpage on Stream– Aquifer Flow in the Vicinity of Federally Protected Species of Freshwater Mussels in the Lower Apalachicola– Chattahoochee–Flint River Basin (Subarea 4), Southeastern Alabama, Northwestern Florida, and Southwestern Georgia Water-Resources Investigations Report 02-4016 Oval pigtoe (Pleurobema pyriforme) Gulf moccassinshell (Medionidus penicillatus) Shinyrayed pocketbook (Lampsilis subangulata) Purple bankclimber (Elliptoideus sloatianus) Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Cover photographs: Courtesy of Sean Kelly and Stephen W. Golladay, J.W. Jones Ecological Research Center, Newton, Georgia. SIMULATED EFFECTS OF GROUND-WATER PUMPAGE ON STREAM–AQUIFER FLOW IN THE VICINITY OF FEDERALLY PROTECTED SPECIES OF FRESHWATER MUSSELS IN THE LOWER APALACHICOLA– CHATTAHOOCHEE–FLINT RIVER BASIN (SUBAREA 4), SOUTHEASTERN ALABAMA, NORTHWESTERN FLORIDA, AND SOUTHWESTERN GEORGIA By Phillip N. Albertson and Lynn J. Torak ___________________________________________________________________ U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Water-Resources Investigations Report 02-4016 Water-Resources Investigations Report 02-4016 Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Atlanta, Georgia 2002 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GALE A. NORTON, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Charles G. Groat, Director Copies of this report can be purchased from: Copies of this report can be purchased from: State Representative U.S. Geological Survey
    [Show full text]