Range Reductions of Southeast Kansas Unionids Brian K. Obermeyeri, David R. Edds^ Edwin J. Milleri, and Carl W. Prophet^ ^Emporia State University, Division of Biological Sciences, Emporia, Kansas ^Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Independence, Kansas

Abstract. Between 1993 and 1995, we studied freshwater mussel assemblages at 75 sites in the Neosho and Verdigris basins of southeast Kansas, and caught 12,826 mussels of 32 species. We targeted four species of special concern (formerly C2 federal candidates): Neosho mucket, Lampsilis rafinesqueana; western fanshell, Cyprogenia aberti; Ouachita kidneyshell, Ptychobranchus occidentalis; and rabbitsfoot, Quadriila cylindrica. Comparison of present distributions with historical records dating to 1885 suggests substantial range reductions for several unionid species, including these four candidates as well as the inferred extirpation of the black sandshell, Ligumia recta. Disparity between the number of extant species and species represented only by weathered valves revealed a decrease in species richness in all but one stream. Little evidence of recruitment was noted. We believe the most widespread contributor to mussel declines in southeast Kansas has been the cumulative effect of stream deterioration from nutrient and sediment loading, which has especially degraded deeper habitats that once likely served as important juvenile nursery areas and refugia from drought. Other factors, such as dams, channel alterations, overharvesting, and stochastic events, have also likely contributed to this decline.

Introduction

Kansas is located on the western edge of North ever, mussels often leave behind weathered valves, America's rich diversity of freshwater mussels. The especially in Kansas' limestone-buffered waters, state's highest concentration of unionids is generally with which one can compare the presence of extant confined to streams in its eastern third; only 8 of the species (i.e., live and recently dead specimens). 44 species of mussels for which there are historic Using historical records to supplement dead records in Kansas occur in the western two-thirds of shell material, we assessed unionid faunal change in the state (Murray and Leonard 1962). The southeast the Neosho and Verdigris River basins of southeast ern third of the state, especially the Verdigris and Kansas. By comparing shell evidence of past mussel Neosho River basins, contains the highest diversity populations to this study's collection of live of unionids, 37 species. Important mussel streams unionids, we found that range reductions had within these two basins include the Fall, Elk, Verdi occurred in Kansas. gris, and Caney rivers (Verdigris basin) and the Neosho, Cottonwood, and Spring rivers (Neosho basin). Presently there are 6 unionid species state- listed as endangered, 4 as threatened, and 12 as Study Area species in need of conservation (SING); 5 of these above are species of concern (formerly C2 federal The Neosho and Verdigris River basins are located in the tallgrass prairie ecoregion, formerly an candidates). In addition, four species are considered extensive grassland dominated by warm-season extirpated from the state: Alasmidonta viridis, grasses with riparian forests bordering most Epioblasma triquetra, Ligumia recta, and Obovaria streams. Today remnants of this upland prairie olivaria. remain in the western half of the study area, espe Assessing change in Kansas unionid assem blages occurring in the past century is challenging cially in the headwaters of the Neosho and much of because most surveyors (e.g., Popenoe 1885; Call the Verdigris River basins; however, many of these 1885a, 1885b, 1885c, 1885d, 1886,1887; Scammon grasslands are degraded because of intensive grazing, and little remains of bottomland prairies 1906) did not provide relative or rank abundances of due to extensive cultivation. Upland heavy-clay species and often gave ambiguous locality descrip tions. Prior to more recent work (e.g.. Cope 1983, soils are generally shallow with limestone and chert 1985; Miller 1993; Obermeyer et al. 1995), only Isely outcroppings of Permian and Pennsylvanian origins (1924) provided relative abundances; however, he preventing cultivation in many areas, whereas alluvial soils predominate in the floodplain. Spring sampled only two sites in Kansas (in 1912). How River and Shoal Creek differ in that they are derived Obermeyer et al.: Range Reductions of Southeast Kansas Unionids 109

from the Ozark Plateau and are characterized by cm diameter PVC pipe frame), and sieved the lower turbidity and richer aquatic faunas (Cross and substrate. The number of sieve samples varied Collins 1995). between 0 and 21, depending on size and quality of Streams in the Neosho and Verdigris River the site and time or weather constraints. We also basins have been affected by anthropogenic activi quantitatively sampled 16 sites from four streams ties. For example, the Neosho River has lost much (Neosho, Spring, Verdigris, and Fall rivers) using a of its watershed grasslands except in headwater 1-m quadrat placed along measured coordinates reaches and has been polluted by effluents from oil chosen randomly, for a total of 505 1-m quadrats. In fields, feedlots, and cropland, which contrasts with each quadrat we excavated substrate to a depth of Isely's (1924) description of this river in 1912 as "a 10-15 cm and identified and recorded the size of all splendid clear water stream." It has been further unionids found within or under the quadrat frame. modified by 15 city dams, numerous flood-control In addition to collecting live mussels, we impoundments, and two federal reservoirs. Council searched exposed gravel bars and banks of streams Grove Lake and John Redmond Reservoir. Not only for dead shell material. We noted the presence of have unionids been affected in the Neosho River each species and divided the dead shells into two with the inferred loss of three species, but these categories: fresh and weathered. A shell classified as changes are also linked to a deterioration of its fish fresh had a bright, unfaded nacre and much of its fauna, with the presumed extirpation of the bigeye periostracum, with the exception of normal umbonal chub (Notropis amblops), spotfin shiner {Cyprinella erosion. Weathered shells ranged from exhibiting spiloptera), northern hogsucker {Hypentelium considerable erosion of the periostracum and a nigricans), banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae), Ameri faded, often chalky nacre, to being highly weathered can eel {Anguilla rostrata), and chestnut lamprey without any remains of the periostracum; these {Ichthyomyzon castaneus) (Cross 1967; Cross and varied from whole valves to identifiable fragments. Braasch 1968; F.B. Cross, University of Kansas, pers. We estimated the abundance of dead shell material comm.). of each species as either rare (1-2 valves), few (3-6 valves), common (7-16 valves), or abundant (>16 valves). In each of six streams (Neosho, Cottonwood, Methods Spring, Verdigris, Fall, and Elk rivers), we tallied the number of extant species (live plus fresh dead shells) We surveyed 75 sites in 13 streams in the Neosho versus the number of species represented only by and Verdigris basins of southeast Kansas during the weathered shells, and used a paired t-test to assess summers of 1993-1995 to assess the current distribu significant differences. tion of the four targeted species: Lampsilis Voucher specimens and nomenclature: We rafinesqueana (Neosho mucket), Ptychobranchus assembled a representative collection of dead occidentalis (Ouachita kidneyshell), Cyprogenia aberti specimens and deposited them at the Ohio State (western fanshell), and Quadrula cylindrica University Museum of Zoology in Columbus, Ohio. (rabbitsfoot). Site selection was based on past We have also assembled a more extensive collection occurrence of the four targeted species, or sites with for future deposition at the Kansas Biological habitats described as suitable for them (e.g., Murray Survey, Lawrence, Kansas. Except for a few speci and Leonard 1962; Oesch 1984; Cope 1979,1983, mens collected for reference, live unionids were 1985; Mather 1990). Sites with quantified searches identified in the field and returned to their original were located on the Caney, Cottonwood, South Fork location. Unionid nomenclature follows Williams et of the Cottonwood, Neosho, Verdigris, Spring, Fall, al. (1993); however, subspecies are not recognized in and Elk rivers, and Cow, Doyle, Labette, Otter, and this paper. Shoal creeks (Figure 1). However, for our historical analysis, we concentrated on 64 sites in the Neosho, Cottonwood, Spring, Verdigris, Fall, and Elk rivers. We conducted snorkel searches in shallow Results water (15 cm to <1 m), and SCUBA was used when depth exceeded 1 m. All searches were timed to We caught 12,826 live mussels of 32 species from the quantify sampling effort. Sampling effort at each six streams targeted for historical analysis (Table 1). site ranged from 40 minutes to 9 hours. To seek Recruitment was noticeably lacking from most sites, evidence of recruitment, we dredged substrate with with only four sites revealing recent recruits (<5 a shovel, transferred it to a floating sieve (6 mm years old) of "candidate" species: Neosho River (1), galvanized mesh screen supported by a l-m^ x 15- Spring River (1), and Verdigris River (2). 110 Conservation and Management of Freshwater Mussels II: Proceedings of a UMRCC Symposium

Figure 1. Map of streams targeted for unionid range reduction in southeast Kansas.

In the Neosho River, we sampled 23 sites and abundant. The difference between the number of caught 5,773 live mussels of 24 species (Table 1). We extant species (x = 10.0, SD = 3.22) and those repre found a significant difference (P<0.001) in the mean sented by weathered shells at these sites (x = 19.8, number of extant species (x = 16.5, SD = 3.45) SD = 3.66) was significant (P = 0.002) (Figure 2). compared to the mean number of species repre We sampled seven sites in the Spring River and sented by weathered valves (x = 20.9, SD = 2.04) caught 1,493 live mussels of 23 species (Table 1). (Figure 2); two sites were excluded from this com Two additional species were represented only by parison because of inadequate dead shell searches. weathered shells, Ligumia recta and Obliquaria reflexa. The only candidates we caught were 32 L. The mean number of species represented by weath rafinesqueana from seven sites and 2 Q. cylindrica ered valves compared to extant species was not from two sites; these represent the first live records significantly different at five sites upstream from the for Q. cylindrica from the Neosho River since Isely's confluence of Turkey Creek, a polluted stream (1924) survey in 1912. We also collected two re (extant: x = 19.0, SD = 0.82; weathered: x = 18.5, SD = cently dead articulated specimens (with desiccated 3.11; P = 0.76) (Figure 2). We collected all 4 "candi softparts) at one of these sites. Only weathered dates" including 34 P. occidentaiis, 1 Q. cylindrica, 11 shells of P. occidentaiis were found in the Neosho, C. aberti, and 833 L rafinesqueana, which was the though they were ranked common to abundant at most abimdant species comprising 54.5% of the total most sites. Cyprogenia aberti was not collected, either catch (Table 1). However, the Spring River's rich alive or as a weathered shell. mussel fauna is limited in Kansas to an approximate In the Cottonwood River, we sampled six sites 10-km stretch; the downstream portion has been and found 59 live mussels of 5 species (Table 1). decimated by pollution and dams. Several species were found only as weathered shells, Fourteen Verdigris River sites yielded 2,787 including L. rafinesqueana, Lasmigona costata, L recta, live mussels representing 24 species (Table 1). Five Pleurobema coccineiim, P. occidentaiis, Q. cylindrica, species were found only as weathered valves: Quadrula metanevra, and Tnmcilla trimcata (Table 1). Lainpsilis siliquoidea, Lasmigona costata, Ligumia recta, In addition, species typically common in other Ligumia subrostrata, and Q. cylmdrica. The mean streams, such as Ambleina plicata, often lacked extant number of extant species (x = 16.8, SD = 3.62) at each representatives, though weathered shells were Obermeyer et al.: Range Reductions of Southeast Kansas Unionids 111

Table 1. Tally of unionids collected during 1993-1995 from the Neosho and Verdigris River basins in southeast Kansas, and the contribution of each stream.

Neosho Basin Verdigris Basin

csS k. U "C a; u u 6C u Of) "S e£ >> s> 'u 0 5 o 01 o u u n a. "(5 U u i D u > u. uu O Totals

# sites: 1 2 7 2 1 14 12 4 1 75

AMBLEMINAE Amblema plicata 1274 d wd d 91 32 Lr - 688 461 57 d d 2603 EUiptio dilatata 179 d wd wd - 36 - Lr* 215 Fusconaia flava 334 1 wd wd 12 126 Lr - 219 217 51 wd d 960

- - Fusconaia ozarkensis - - Lr Lr

- - Megalomias nervosa 198 - Lr 8 3 209 Pleiirobema coccineum 30 wd - 94 wd 40 9 wd wd 173

- Qiiadrula cylindrica 2 wd 1 - wd wd 3

- Qtiadrula metanevra 1786 wd 9 - 658 288 d 2741

- Quadrnla nodulata 12 Lr wd Lr - 24 6 42 Quadrnla pustulosa 537 5 d d 30 162 - 1 388 485 78 d d 1686 Quadrnla quadrnla 274 18 1 d 53 42 2 130 84 29 d d 633 Tritogonia verrucosa 354 29 d - 16 36 2 160 189 35 1 d 822 Uniomerus tetralasmus d - - Lr Lr wd Lr d ANODONTINAE

Alasmidonla marginata - 1 1 Anodonta suborbiculata Lr Lr Lasmigona complanata 14 d d d 16 3 - 7 8 29 8 d d 148 ■ - - w d Lasmigona costata 3 wd wd 12 wd wd Lr Lr 15 Pyganodon grandis 2 d d 1 1 1 d 7 d wd d 12

- - 3 5 Strophitus undulatus 7 d d d 11 24 11 wd d 88 Utterbackia imbecillis Lr Lr Lr d d d LAMPSILINAE Cyprogenia aberti Lr - 11 - 11 5 wd Lr 27

- Ellipsaria lineolata 80 - - Lr - 7 Lr 87 Lampsilis cardium 103 d d 32 2 wd 106 128 14 d d 385 Lampsilis rafinesqueana 32 wd Lr 833 Lr - 5 34 wd wd wd 904 Lampsilis siliquoidea Lr - - 5 Lr d wd d wd wd 1 6 Lampsilis teres 16 d wd 5 1 Lr - 16 20 6 wd wd 64 Leptodea fragilis 113 6 d 3 Lr 24 23 3 d d 173 Ligumia recta wd wd wd wd Lr wd wd wd wd Lr wd Ligumia subrostrata d d wd 2 1 wd wd 4 d d d 7

- . Obliquaria reflexa 292 d - 9 wd 133 47 9 490

. - Potamilus alatus Lr' - Lr*

- Potamilus ohiensis 3 d - - - - 2 - d d 5 Potamilus purpuratus 103 d 1 6 1 - 29 23 20 d d 183

- Ptychobranchus ocddentalis wd wd wd - 34 11 19 wd wd wd 64

- - Toxolasma parvus Lr - - Lr 1 1 1 3

- Truncilla donaciformis 25 d d . - 8 29 d Lr 62 Truncilla truncata d wd - Lr . 6 wd wd d 6

- - - Venustaconcha pleasi 9 - 9

Total # of live mussels 5773 59 2 1 244 1493 2 6 2787 2135 321 1 2 12826 # extant species 27 17 9 8 12 23 1 5 25 25 17 9 17 # weathered species 2893 - 221 5 4993 # s p e c i e s b a s e d o n L r 5 1 1 - - 5 9 - 3 1 - 1 5 Total # species 35 26 19 11 12 30 12 6 33 30 26 19 25 d = dead (fresh), wd = weathered dead, extant = live + fresh dead, Lr = literature record only, Lr" = questionable record. 112 Conservation and Management of Freshwater Mussels II: Proceedings of a UMRCC Symposium

Neosho R. Cottonwood R. Spring R.

Figure 2. Comparison of the mean number of species represented by live and recently dead (extant) specimens versus species represented by weathered and relic valves in the Neosho River Basin, Kansas, 1993-95.

site was significantly lower than the mean number 13.0, SD = 0.82; weathered: x = 19.0, SD = 0.50; P = of species represented by weathered valves (x = 19.1, 0.029) (Figure 3). SD = 3.06; P = 0.006) (Figure 3). Regarding "candi dates," we found 11 C. aberti at five sites, 5 L. rafinesqueam at five sites, and 11 P. occidentalis at Discussion f o u r s i t e s . In Fall River, we collected 2,135 live mussels of 23 species from 12 sites (Table 1). Five species either Evidence of the decline collected as weathered shells or based on historical Historic data of mussel densities in Kansas are not records (Call 1887) were missing extant representa available prior to Cope's (1983) work; however, tives: EHipsaria lineolntn, L. costata, L. recta, early harvest records suggest rich mussel beds in Q. cylindrica, and TrimciUa tnmcata. The mean Kansas streams. For instance, over 17,000 tons of number of extant species at these sites (x = 15.3, SD shells were reportedly collected from the Neosho = 2.74) was significantly lower than the number River during 1911 and 1912, representing about 17% represented by weathered valves (x = 17.5, SD = of the nation's contribution to the pearl button 3.78; P = 0.023) (Figure 3). We collected living industry in 1912 (Murray and Leonard 1962). Coker specimens of 3 candidate species: 5 C. aberti, 34 (1919) estimated that a ton equaled 5,000 to 10,000 L rafinesqueana, and 19 P. occidentalis. All were mussels from virgin beds, 30,000 from depleted found downstream from Fall River Lake to its beds. Consequently, over 85 million mussels may confluence with the Verdigris River, though weath have been harvested from the Neosho River in one ered shells were found upstream from Fall River year. By 1918, a shell blank factory in lola, Kansas, Lake. was still processing up to 30 tons of shells a week, We sampled four sites in the Elk River and with many of these shells coming from the Neosho caught 321 live mussels of 12 species (Table 1). We River near Leroy, Kansas (lola Register, 6 April found evidence of 26 species (17 extant and 9 1918). Isely (1924) found densities as high as 383 weathered), including weathered valves of L. costata, mussels from a 100-square-foot sample (42 per m^) C. aberti, L rafinesqueana, and P. occidentalis, the first in the Verdigris River in Oklahoma in 1912. His record of C. aberti for this stream. The mean number findings contrast with Miller's (1993) Verdigris River of extant species was significantly lower than that of mean of 3.1 /m- and our mean in the Neosho River species represented by weathered valves (extant: x = of 2.3/m2. Obermeyer et al.: Range Reductions of Southeast Kansas Unionids 113

Sextant 20 □ weathered 18

16

14 V. 12 o C. 10

6 8 Z 6

4

2

0

Verdigris R. Fall R. ElkR

Figure 3. Comparison of the mean number of species represented by live and recently dead (extant) specimens versus species represented by weathered and relic valves in the Verdigris River Basin, Kansas, 1993-95.

Although the four targeted candidate species also extirpated from Shoal Creek, Fall and Cotton were collected in our study area, their ranges seem wood rivers, and much of the Neosho River. to have declined precipitously. Ptychobranclius Not only were some species absent from occidentalis was found in only three of its historic streams but certain stretches seemed more condu nine streams, with extant representatives missing cive to extirpations. For example, P. cocciueum, from numerous sites in these three streams. We Q. cylindrica, Q. metanevra, P. occidentalis, L. costata, found only 27 C. aberti from three of six streams with C. aberti, and L. rafinesqueana were represented only historical evidence of past populations, supporting by weathered shells upstream from federal im Cope's (1979) assertion that this species is extremely poundments in the Neosho, Verdigris, and Fall rare in Kansas. Moreover, its distribution in these rivers. Conversely, extant specimens of T. truncata streams was patchy. Extant representatives of were found upstream from impoundments in the L rafmesquenm were found in 4 of its 10 historic Neosho and Verdigris rivers, but only weathered Kansas streams. We caught 32 L. rnfinesqueana from valves were found downstream. Ligninia recta was 21 sites in the Neosho River, whereas Isely (1924) absent as an extant species from the entire study collected the same number from a single site. area, although weathered valves were commonly Evidence of extant populations of L. rafinesqueam found, supporting Cope's (1979) assumption that it was found at only 7 of 21 Neosho River sites, and is extirpated from Kansas. most specimens were caught at 3 sites located Evidence of recent reproductive success of downstream from John Redmond Reservoir. Live most unionids was absent at most sites. Neves and Q. cyUiidrica collected in this study reflect a species Widlak (1987) suggested that past failures to locate with a disjunct distribution, though weathered juveniles <20 mm in length were probably due to valves revealed a wider historical distribution in inefficient or inadequate sampling. Although we Kansas. Isely (1924) collected a live Q. cyliudrica may have overlooked mussels less than 2 months from the Verdigris River, but we found only relic old because of their transparent shell and small size, valves at 8 of 14 Verdigris River sites. We found our sieving of substrate from habitats known to be three weathered valves of Q. cylindrica in Fall River utilized by juveniles (Isely 1911; Clarke 1986; Neves and one weathered valve in the Cottonwood River, and Widlak 1987) should have yielded small mus both of which are new stream records for this sels if they were present. species. Weathered shells also were found in the Missouri portion of Shoal Creek (B. Obermeyer, Causes for the decline pers. observ.), suggesting its possible historical The most widespread contributor to the decline of mussels in our study area may be the cumulative presence in this stream in Kansas. Schuster (1979) considered Q. cylindrica extirpated from the Verdi effect of stream deterioration, though most streams gris River. We concur, and hypothesize that it is also have been plagued by stochastic events, such as 114 Conservation and Management of Freshwater Mussels II: Proceedings of a UMRCC Symposium

drought. Perhaps the broadest deleterious factor has ment can be expected to be erosive and to degrade been the influx of sediment and organic materials, its bed accordingly." Regulated releases from primarily from agriculture. The presumed extirpa impoundments usually prevent floodwaters from tion of L. recta from streams in low-populated and entering the downstream floodplain (high-flow nonindustrial areas is consistent with this conclu channel). During potential flooding, discharge from sion. reservoirs is often maintained at half- to full-channel Elevated levels of suspended solids can reduce capacity for extended periods. The energy of this the rate at which mussels take up oxygen and discharge is therefore confined to the channel rather excrete nitrogen (Aldridge et al. \9^7), possibly than being distributed over the floodplain. Trimble resulting in aborted glochidia in sensitive species. (1983) stated that a floodplain acts as a sediment Moreover, turbidity from suspended solids de sink in most stream basins, with greater sediment creases productivity of unionid food organisms uptake and transport within the stream channel, (Fuller 1974), and may interfere with visually- especially if banks are unvegetated and saturated. oriented reproductive adaptations, such as mantle Therefore, confinement of floodwaters within the flaps, placentae, and conglutinates. channel for extended periods, combined with Ellis (1936) demonstrated experimentally that sediment-deficient releases, may accelerate covering mussels with 0.25 mm of silt interfered streambank erosion. Our observations of the with respiration and feeding. Excessive silt deposi Neosho River downstream from John Redmond tion can not only harm adult unionids but can also Dam are consistent with this hypothesis, and degrade habitats. Although large, turbid rivers matches much of Hartfield's (1993) characterization often support diverse mussel beds in deep habitats, of headcuts, with extensive bank scouring and the Kansas streams probably lack adequate current virtual absence of perennial streambank vegetation. velocity during low flows to prevent settling of Stable mussel beds in this sinuous river were most suspended silt and clay particles (Platts et al. 1983). often found adjacent to limestone outcroppings; Degradation of deep habitats has likely resulted in unstable sites were generally low in unionid species greater vulnerability to Kansas mussel populations richness and abundance. In fact, we accurately during recent droughts. Therefore, the assertion predicted the occurrence of several mussel beds in that droughts were responsible for the extirpation of the Neosho River based solely on 7.5 minute 1:24,000 P. occidental is in the Caney River in Kansas (Metcalf scale U.S. Geological Survey topographical maps, 1980) may be only partly correct. which indicated areas where the Neosho River The influx of sediments and nutrients also may abutted higher terrain with possible stabilizing eliminate potential juvenile nursery areas. Clarke outcrops. (1986) and Neves and Widlak (1987) provided Other factors, such as pollution, channelization, evidence that juvenile mussels can live completely gravel dredging, and mussel harvesting also may buried within substrate interstices. However, Clarke contribute to mussel declines (Fuller 1974). Pesti (1986) stated that it is doubtful that mud would cides and high fecal coliform counts in the Verdigris permit adequate circulation for a hypobenthic River downstream from Independence (Kansas existence. Similarly, the influx of organic nutrients, Department of Health and Environment 1994) may which are linked to high coliform bacterial counts have been responsible for an observed decrease in and associated dissolved oxygen deficits in Kansas unionid species richness and abundance. Feedlots streams (Kansas Department of Health and Environ may have caused the loss of mussel species in the ment 1994), may be particularly detrimental to Cottonwood River; numerous fish kills attributed to juvenile mussels if anoxic conditions occur within feedlot runoff in this stream were well documented the substrate. Therefore, our observations of low in the 1960s (Cross and Braasch 1968; Prophet 1969; recruitment rates may be related to the eutrophica- Prophet and Edwards 1973). Oil and saltwater spills tion of Kansas streams. from oil fields also have historically plagued eastern A more recent anthropogenic factor likely Kansas streams with devastating results, especially detrimental to Kansas unionids is impoundments, in the Cottonwood River (Doze 1926). Contamina particularly large reservoirs. Dams are not only tion by heavy metals from mine tailings can cause barriers to host fishes but the impounded stream the virtual elimination of mussel populations (Fuller channels are transformed from lotic to lentic envi 1974), which has probably contributed to the rarity ronments, altering assemblages of fishes and of mussels in a large portion of the Spring River in unionids (Stansbery 1973; Fuller 1974; Williams et al. Kansas. Mussel harvesting may have shifted once- 1993). Although impoundments trap sediments and common species from what Hanski (1982) termed may reduce downstream turbidity and siltation, core to satellite status, thus making them more Donnelly (1993) stated, "A river deficient in sedi vulnerable to extirpation. This may have been a Obermeyer et al.: Range Reductions of Southeast Kansas Unionids 115

contributing factor to the decline of L. rafinesqiieatm Roger Ferguson (ESU), Jim Peterson (ESU), and in Kansas. According to a mussel harvester active in Carson Cox (KDWP) for loans of field equipment. the 1920s (A.A. Frishenmeyer, Chanute, Kansas, Thanks also to Dr. David H. Stansbery and Kathy G. pers. comm.), the "mucket" was common in the Borror (Ohio State University) for accepting voucher Neosho River and was one of the most sought-after specimens, and to Dr. Stansbery for his assistance in species by the pearl button industry in Kansas. answering taxonomic questions; to Steve Siegele and Coker (1919) commented that the mucket of the Greg Estep (Hydrology, Tulsa Division, U.S. Army Cottonwood River in Kansas reached the quality of Corps of Engineers) for information regarding dam marine shells. releases and stream flows in southeast Kansas; and Murray and Leonard (1962) warned that unless to Bemadine Obermeyer for her valued field assis immediate measures were taken to curb siltation tance and review of the manuscript. Finally, we and industrial pollution, Kansas unionids faced would like to thank the landowners along these continued extirpations. Since that warning, at least Kansas streams who graciously granted access to one species they considered extant, L recta, is now their property. believed extirpated from Kansas. Considering the range reduction of several Kansas species, our survey suggests that several unionids are at risk of Literature Cited following the fate of L recta. As populations become more isolated, local extinctions may accelerate, even in pristine habitats, due to the lack of recolonization Aldridge, D.W., B.S. Payne, and A.C. Miller. 1987. The from other populations (Sjogren 1991). Conse effects of intermittent exposure to suspended solids and turbulence on three species of freshwater quently, merely protecting remaining habitats and mussels. Environmental Pollution 45(l):17-28. populations of a severely isolated species like Call, R.E. 1885a. Description of a new species of Unio Q. cylmdrica may not curb its continued trend from Kansas. Bulletin of the Washburn College towards extirpation. To prevent other unionid Laboratory of Natural History l(2):48-49 + 1 plate. species from becoming isolated, it is important to Call, R.E. 1885b. Contributions to a knowledge of the minimize stream fragmentation and identify and fresh-water Mollusca of Kansas. I. Fresh-water protect remaining populations and critical habitats. bivalves. Bulletin of the Washburn College Labora tory of Natural History 1(2);49-51. Call, R.E. 1885c. Contributions to a knowledge of the fresh-water Mollusca of Kansas. III. Fresh-water Acknowledgments bivalves. Bulletin of the Washburn College Labora tory of Natural History l(3):93-97. Funding was provided by the Kansas Department of Call, R.E. 1885d. Contributions to a knowledge of the Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) through U.S. Fish and fresh-water Mollusca of Kansas. IV. Bulletin of the Wildlife Service Section-6 monies, and by an Empo Washburn College Laboratory of Natural History ria State University (ESU) Faculty Research and 1(4):115-124. Call, R.E. 1886. Fifth contribution to a knowledge of the Creativity Grant. We would like to thank those who fresh-water Mollusca of Kansas. Bulletin of the assisted in the labor-intensive sampling: Bill Busby Washburn College Laboratory of Natural History (Kansas Biological Survey); Bob Funke, Don George, 1(6):177-184. Jerry Horak, Kevin Ricki, Tom Swan, and Rick Tush Call, R.E. 1887. Sixth contribution to a knowledge of the (KDWP); Linda Fuselier (University of Kansas); Jim fresh-water Mollusca of Kansas. Bulletin of the Minnerath, Dan Mulhem, and Vernon Tabor Washburn College Laboratory of Natural History (USFWS); Jim Peterson (ESU); volunteers Lewis 2(8):ll-25. Anderson, Bill Browning, Myron Frans, Eugene Clarke, A.H. 1986. The mesoconch: a record of juvenile Goff, Bemadine Obermeyer, Dan VanLeeuwen, and life in Unionidae. Malacology Data Net l(2):21-36. Ken and Dee Whitehead; and participants of the 1993 Coker, R.E. 1919. Fresh-water mussels and mussel Kansas mussel workshop, sponsored by KDWP. industries of the U.S. Bulletin of the Bureau of Fisheries 36(1917-18):13-89 + 46 plates. [Issued Thanks to Bob Angelo and Craig Thompson (Kansas separately as U.S. Bureau of Fisheries Document 865]. Department of Health and Environment), and Bill Cope, C.H. 1979. Survey of the Unionidae considered for Busby and Jerry Horak for computer searches of conservation status in Kansas. Report to the Kansas Kansas unionid records. We also appreciate Jerry Fish and Game Commission. 39 pp. Horak's assistance in providing a field vehicle. Cope, C.H. 1983. Kansas freshwater mussel investigation: Thanks to Ken Bnmson, Jerry Horak, and Lanny project completion report. National Marine Fisheries Jones (KDWP) and Juanita Bartley and Pam Fillmore Service Project 2-378-R. Report to the Kansas Fish and (ESU) for assistance in grant administration, and to Game Commission. 126 pp. 116 Conservation and Management of Freshwater Mussels 11: Proceedings of a UMRCC Symposium

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