The Conservation Status of the Brook Floater Mussel, Alasmidonta
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Pearly Mussels in NY State Susquehanna Watershed Paul H
Pearly mussels in NY State Susquehanna Watershed Paul H. Lord, Willard N. Harman & Timothy N. Pokorny Introduction Preliminary Results Discussion Pearly mussels (unionids) New unionid SGCN identified • Mobile substrates appear exacerbated endangered native mollusks in Susquehanna River Watershed by surge stormwater inputs • Life cycle complex • Eastern Pearlshell (Margaritifera margaritifera) - made worse by impervious surfaces - includes fish parasitism -- in Otselic River headwaters • Unionids impacted - involves watershed quality parameters Historical SGCN found in many locations by ↓O2, siltation, endocrine disrupting chemicals • 4 Species of Greatest Conservation Need • Regularly downstream of extended riffle - from human watershed use (SGCN) historically found • Require minimally mobile substrates • River location consistency with old maps in NY State Susquehanna Watershed • No observed wastewater treatment plant impact associated with ↑ unionids - Brook Floater (Alasmidonta varicosa) -adult unionids more easily observed - Green Floater (Lasmigona subviridis) Table 1. NYSDEC freshwater pearly mussel “species of greatest conservation need” (SGCN) observed in the Upper Susquehanna from kayaks - Yellow Lamp Mussel (Lampsilis cariosa) Watershed while mapping and searching rivers in the summers of 2008 Elktoe -Elktoe (Alasmidonta marginata) and 2009. Brook Floater = Alasmidonta varicosa; elktoe = Alasmidonta • Prior sampling done where convenient marginata; green floater = Lasmigona subviridis; yellow lamp mussel = - normally at intersection -
Brook Floater
STATE THREATENED Brook Floater (Alasmidonta varicosa) photo by Ethan Nedeau Description The Brook Floater is a small to medium-sized (usually ≤ host to change into the subadult form of a mussel. Each 3 inches) freshwater mussel that in profile has a “Roman mussel species requires one or more specific fish species nose” shape and in cross-section is moderately inflated to serve as suitable hosts and since glochidia can only or swollen in appearance. The shell is yellowish-green in survive for a short time on their own, they must quickly young animals to brownish-black in older specimens, encounter just the right fish. The lucky ones attach to the and often has broad dark green rays. Internal hinge teeth fish’s gills or fins (without apparent harm to the fish) for are poorly developed, with only a small knob present on a period of weeks or months before transforming into each valve. A reliable diagnostic feature for this mussel tiny mussels and dropping off to settle in the substrate. is a series of ridges and wrinkles along the dorso- Fish species reported to serve as hosts for the Brook posterior slope of each valve, perpendicular to the Floater include Longnose Dace, Blacknose Dace, growth rings. This species has a peculiar habit of gaping Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Slimy Sculpin, its valves when removed from the water, exposing its and Yellow Perch. cantaloupe-colored “foot”. Freshwater mussels grow rapidly during their first 4-6 Range and Habitat years of life, before they become reproductively mature. The life span of the Brook Floater is likely 15 years or The Brook Floater is found in streams and rivers of the more. -
Aquatic Biota
Low Gradient, Cool, Headwaters and Creeks Macrogroup: Headwaters and Creeks Shawsheen River, © John Phelan Ecologist or State Fish Game Agency for more information about this habitat. This map is based on a model and has had little field-checking. Contact your State Natural Heritage Description: Cool, slow-moving, headwaters and creeks of low-moderate elevation flat, marshy settings. These small streams of moderate to low elevations occur on flats or very gentle slopes in watersheds less than 39 sq.mi in size. The cool slow-moving waters may have high turbidity and be somewhat poorly oxygenated. Instream habitats are dominated by glide-pool and ripple-dune systems with runs interspersed by pools and a few short or no distinct riffles. Bed materials are predominenly sands, silt, and only isolated amounts of gravel. These low-gradient streams may have high sinuosity but are usually only slightly entrenched with adjacent Source: 1:100k NHD+ (USGS 2006), >= 1 sq.mi. drainage area floodplain and riparian wetland ecosystems. Cool water State Distribution:CT, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT, VA, temperatures in these streams means the fish community WV contains a higher proportion of cool and warm water species relative to coldwater species. Additional variation in the stream Total Habitat (mi): 16,579 biological community is associated with acidic, calcareous, and neutral geologic settings where the pH of the water will limit the % Conserved: 11.5 Unit = Acres of 100m Riparian Buffer distribution of certain macroinvertebrates, plants, and other aquatic biota. The habitat can be further subdivided into 1) State State Miles of Acres Acres Total Acres headwaters that drain watersheds less than 4 sq.mi, and have an Habitat % Habitat GAP 1 - 2 GAP 3 Unsecured average bankfull width of 16 feet or 2) Creeks that include larger NY 41 6830 94 325 4726 streams with watersheds up to 39 sq.mi. -
Brook Floater
Brook Floater Alasmidonta varicosa Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife State Status: Endangered 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581 tel: (508) 389-6360; fax: (508) 389-7891 Federal Status: None www.nhesp.org Description: The brook floater is a small mussel that but the intensity of that color is variable. The brook floater rarely exceeds three inches (75mm) in length. The shape is has a unique habit of “gaping” (relaxing its adductor trapezoidal to almost elliptical, and it has a prominent muscles and opening its valves) when removed from the posterior ridge that gives it a “roman nose” lateral profile water, exposing its cantaloupe-colored foot and mantle (1). The ventral margin (2) is usually flat or slightly cavity. indented. The valves are moderately inflated (3), giving it Similar Species in Massachusetts: Brook floater shells a swollen appearance in cross section. The periostracum (dead animals) can be identified without difficulty, (4) is yellowish-green in young animals to brownish-black although sometimes are confused with the creeper, which in mature specimens and usually has prominent green rays has a similar shape and poorly developed pseudocardinal (5). Rays are often obscure in heavily eroded or stained teeth. Accurate identification of live animals usually relies shells. The diagnostic feature for this species is a series of on the corrugations on the shell, shape of the animal, corrugations (or raised ridges) along the dorso-posterior cantaloupe-colored foot, and its habit of gaping when slope (6), perpendicular to the growth lines; these removed from the water. Live juveniles or highly eroded corrugations are difficult to discern on shells that are adult brook floater, triangle floater, and creeper can young, eroded, stained, or covered with algae. -
Alasmidonta Varicosa) Version 1.1.1
Species Status Assessment Report for the Brook Floater (Alasmidonta varicosa) Version 1.1.1 Molunkus Stream, Tributary of the Mattawamkeag River in Maine. Photo credit: Ethan Nedeau, Biodrawversity. Inset: Adult brook floaters. Photo credit: Jason Mays, USFWS. July 2018 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service This document was prepared by Sandra Doran of the New York Ecological Services Field Office with assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Brook Floater Species Status Assessment (SSA) Team. The team members include Colleen Fahey, Project Manager (Species Assessment Team (SAT), Headquarters (HQ) and Rebecca Migala, Assistant Project Manager, (Region 1, Regional Office), Krishna Gifford (Region 5, Regional Office), Susan (Amanda) Bossie (Region 5 Solicitor's Office, Julie Devers (Region 5, Maryland Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office), Jason Mays (Region 4, Asheville Field Office), Rachel Mair (Region 5, Harrison Lake National Fish Hatchery), Robert Anderson and Brian Scofield (Region 5, Pennsylvania Field Office), Morgan Wolf (Region 4, Charleston, SC), Lindsay Stevenson (Region 5, Regional Office), Nicole Rankin (Region 4, Regional Office) and Sarah McRae (Region 4, Raleigh, NC Field Office). We also received assistance from David Smith of the U.S. Geological Survey, who served as our SSA Coach. Finally, we greatly appreciate our partners from Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada, the Brook Floater Working Group, and others working on brook floater conservation. Version 1.0 (June 2018) of this report was available for selected peer and partner review and comment. Version 1.1 incorporated comments received on V 1.0 and was used for the Recommendation Team meeting. This final version, (1.1.1), incorporates additional comments in addition to other minor editorial changes including clarifications. -
Brook Floater ( Alasmidonta Varicosa)
COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Brook Floater Alasmidonta varicosa in Canada SPECIAL CONCERN 2009 COSEWIC status reports are working documents used in assigning the status of wildlife species suspected of being at risk. This report may be cited as follows: COSEWIC. 2009. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Brook Floater Alasmidonta varicosa in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 79 pp. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm). Production note: COSEWIC would like to acknowledge Katherine A. Bredin and André L. Martel for writing the status report on the Brook Floater Alasmidonta varicosa in Canada, prepared under contract with Environment Canada, overseen and edited by Janice Smith and Dr. Dwayne Lepitzki, COSEWIC Molluscs Specialist Subcommittee Co-chairs For additional copies contact: COSEWIC Secretariat c/o Canadian Wildlife Service Environment Canada Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3 Tel.: 819-953-3215 Fax: 819-994-3684 E-mail: COSEWIC/[email protected] http://www.cosewic.gc.ca Également disponible en français sous le titre Ếvaluation et Rapport de situation du COSEPAC sur l’alasmidonte renflée (Alasmidonta varicosa) au Canada. Cover photo: Brook Floater — Provided by the author. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2009. Catalogue No. CW69-14/580-2009E-PDF ISBN 978-1-100-12944-0 Recycled paper COSEWIC Assessment Summary Assessment Summary – April 2009 Common name Brook Floater Scientific name Alasmidonta varicosa Status Special Concern Reason for designation A medium-sized freshwater mussel that is confined to 15 widely scattered watersheds in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. This mussel was never abundant, usually representing only 1-5% of the total freshwater mussel fauna present. -
Alasmidonta Varicosa), Canadian Population
Preliminary Assessment of the Recovery Potential of the Brook Floater (Alasmidonta varicosa), Canadian Population Jacques Whitford Stantec Limited Ecosystem Management, Gulf Region Fisheries and Oceans Canada 343 University Avenue Moncton, NB E1C 9B6 2012 Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2995 Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Manuscript reports contain scientific and technical information that contributes to existing knowledge but which deals with national or regional problems. Distribution is restricted to institutions or individuals located in particular regions of Canada. However, no restriction is placed on subject matter, and the series reflects the broad interests and policies of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, namely, fisheries and aquatic sciences. Manuscript reports may be cited as full publications. The correct citation appears above the abstract of each report. Each report is abstracted in the data base Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts. Manuscript reports are produced regionally but are numbered nationally. Requests for individual reports will be filled by the issuing establishment listed on the front cover and title page. Numbers 1-900 in this series were issued as Manuscript Reports (Biological Series) of the Biological Board of Canada, and subsequent to 1937 when the name of the Board was changed by Act of Parliament, as Manuscript Reports (Biological Series) of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada. Numbers 1426 - 1550 were issued as Department of Fisheries and Environment, Fisheries and Marine Service Manuscript Reports. The current series name was changed with report number 1551. Rapport manuscrit canadien des sciences halieutiques et aquatiques Les rapports manuscrits contiennent des renseignements scientifiques et techniques qui constituent une contribution aux connaissances actuelles, mais qui traitent de problèmes nationaux ou régionaux. -
Survey of the Pearly Freshwater Mussels (Unionidae: Bivalvia) of the .Susquehanna River in a Reach Between Exits 14 And, 15 of Interstate 88, Oneonta, NY1
Survey of the pearly freshwater mussels (Unionidae: Bivalvia) of the .Susquehanna River in a reach between Exits 14 and, 15 of Interstate 88, Oneonta, NY1 3 Willard N. Harman2 and Emily Underwood INTRODUCTION Although long impacted by anthropogenic activities, the Susquehanna drainage basin provides habitat for about a dozen species of unionids (Clark and Berg, 1959; Harman, 1970; Strayer and Fetterman,,1999) including four "Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)" as determined by the United States fish and Wildlife Service (Bell, 2007). They are Alasmidonta varicosa (brook floater), A. marginata (elktoe), Lasmigona subviridis (green floater) and Lampsiliscariosa(Yellow lamp mussel). Previous channelization of the Susquehanna River in the Oneonta area has resulted in destabilization of gravel substrates typical of widespread activities in nearby drainage systems (Harman, 1974) resulting,.in unionid habitat degradation and destabilization of banks threatening Interstate.88, therefore requiring additional stream bed disturbance to mitigate concerns (O'JBrian ýand O'Reilly, 2007). Because of the potential presence of the SGCN at the. Oneonta work site, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) required the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) to sponsor this study in order to: 1. Ascertain the presence of any unionids, including any SGCN, and if found either 2. Remove the populations to local refugia (returning them after construction) or 3. Protect them by mitigation via in stream engineering. PHYSICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SITE The site includes a pool, riffles and an extensive run approximately 450 m in length in the proposed area of DOT activity. Upon first observation the entire area appeared to be poor unionid habitat, unsuitable for colonization because of substrate instability. -
Dwarf Wedgemussel, Alasmidonta Heterodon Brook Floater
MUSSELS FRESHWATER MUSSELS: Dwarf wedgemussel, Alasmidonta heterodon Status: State: Endangered Federal: Endangered Brook floater, Alasmidonta varicosa Status: State: Endangered (pending) Federal: Species of Special Concern Green floater, Lasmigona subviridis Status: State: Endangered (pending) Federal: Species of Special Concern Yellow lampmussel, Lampsilis cariosa Status: State: Threatened (pending) Federal: Species of Special Concern Eastern lampmussel, Lampsilis radiata Status: State: Threatened (pending) Federal: Not listed Eastern pondmussel, Ligumia nasuta Status: State: Threatened (pending) Federal: Not listed Tidewater mucket, Leptodea ochracea Status: State: Threatened (pending) Federal: Not listed Triangle floater, Alasmidonta undulata Status: State: Threatened (pending) Federal: Not listed Identification All freshwater mussels have a calcium carbonate bivalve shell that is divided into a left and right half. The shell consists of three layers; the outer periostracum, the middle calcium carbonate, and the inner nacre. The periostracum (or epidermis) protects underlying calcium carbonate from the corrosive action of low pH water and damage from moving sand and gravel. A thin prismatic layer of crystalline calcium carbonate lies beneath the periostracum. The nacre or mother-of-pearl is the innermost and often thickest layer of the shell. It is comprised of thin, stacked calcium carbonate plates that lie parallel to the shell’s surface. In many species, the color and texture of the nacre are important for identification. Lateral and pseudocardinal teeth, separated by an interdentum, are located dorsally inside the shell. Lateral teeth are elongated and raised interlocking structures along the hinge line of a valve, whereas pseudocardinal teeth are triangular-shaped hinge teeth near the shell’s anterior-dorsal margin. The interdentum is a flattened area of the hinge plate between the lateral and pseudocardinal teeth. -
A Field Guide to the FRESHWATER MUSSELS of Connecticut a Field Guide to the FRESHWATER MUSSELS of Connecticut
A Field Guide to the FRESHWATER MUSSELS of Connecticut A Field Guide to the FRESHWATER MUSSELS of Connecticut CONTENTS Introduction....................................................................1 Identifying Freshwater Mussels...........................................3 Searching for Freshwater Mussels.......................................5 Species Descriptions.........................................................6 Reporting Mussels..........................................................31 Further Reading.............................................................31 Field Survey Data Form...................................................32 CONNECTICUT Bureau of Natural Resources / Wildlife Division Department of Environmental Protection 79 Elm Street Hartford, CT 06106-5127 www.dep.state.ct.us Department of Environmental Protection Arthur J. Rocque, Jr., Commissioner David K. Leff, Deputy Commissioner Bureau of Natural Resources Edward C. Parker, Chief Wildlife Division Dale W. May, Director Prepared by Ethan J. Nedeau, BIODRAWVERSITY Julie Victoria, Wildlife Biologist, DEP Illustrations and photographs copyright © by Ethan J. Nedeau Funded by the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, providing programs and services in a fair and impartial manner. In conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, DEP makes every effort to provide equally effective services for persons with disabilities. Individuals with -
Triangle Floater Alasmidonta Undulata
Natural Heritage Triangle Floater & Endangered Species Alasmidonta undulata Program State Status: None www.mass.gov/nhesp Federal Status: None Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife DESCRIPTION: The Triangle Floater is a small SIMILAR SPECIES IN MASSACHUSETTS: The freshwater mussel that rarely exceeds three inches hinge teeth morphology, shell shape, and distinctly (75mm) in length. The shape is subovate to almost bicolored nacre make the shells (dead animals) of the triangular and has a somewhat “squat” appearance (it is Triangle Floater unmistakable from other species in short, wide, and fat (1)). The ventral margin is rounded Massachusetts. However, internal features cannot be (2), so that the shell rocks evenly when placed on a flat used when identifying live animals. Live animals can surface. Beaks (3) are prominent and raised above the often be confused with the Brook Floater, Creeper, and hinge line (4). Sculpturing on the beak is uneven and Dwarf Wedgemussel. Greatest difficulty arises when coarse, although this feature is more readily observed in trying to identify juveniles, animals with excessive shell young animals with little shell erosion. The periostracum erosion, or animals whose periostracum is darkly stained (5) is smooth and shiny, and ranges in color from or covered with algae. The Triangle Floater is distinct yellowish-green to nearly black. The periostracum has from the Brook Floater because it lacks prominent ridges green shell rays (6) that are prominent on all but very on the dorso-posterior slope and its ventral margin is old, stained, or eroded animals. Pseudocardinal teeth (7) curved rather than straight. In addition, Triangle Floater are a triangular shape and very prominent; the feet are white and Brook Floater feet are usually pseudocardinal teeth are buttressed by a thick portion of cantaloupe-colored. -
Evaluation of Mussel Populations Following Hurricane Disturbance Events
AN ASSESSMENT OF SELECTED RARE MUSSEL POPULATIONS IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA FOLLOWING EXTRAORDINARY FLOODS OF SEPTEMBER 2004 Stephen J. Fraley and Jeffrey W. Simmons Aquatic Non-game Biologists Western Region Submitted as completion of NCDENR Contract No. EW06008 June 2006 Table of Contents SUMMARY iii I. INTRODUCTION 1 II. FLOOD MAGNITUDE 2 III. METHODS 3 A. Study Area 3 B. Field Surveys 7 C. Data Reporting and Analysis 8 IV. RESULTS 8 A. Mussel Distribution and Abundance 8 B. Habitat and Other Observations 10 V. DISCUSSION 12 A. Data Comparability and Utility of Results 12 B. Effects of Floods on Mussel Populations 14 C. Conservation and Management Implications 19 VI. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 21 APPENDIX 1. RAINFALL AND STREAMFLOW, SEPTEMBER 2004 A1-1 APPENDIX 2. SITE CPUE DATA TABLES A2-1 ii SUMMARY High flows, particularly catastrophic floods, are known to affect distribution and abundance of mussels, especially in higher gradient streams. In September 2004, the remnants of hurricanes Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne struck western North Carolina. A number of rare mussel species, including the federal and state endangered Appalachian elktoe (Alasmidonta raveneliana) and the federal species of concern and state endangered Brook floater (A. varicosa), occur in the French Broad and upper Catawba river basins where flooding was severe. In 2005, 42 sites were surveyed in these river basins to assess the post-flood distribution and abundance of mussel populations. Twenty three of these sites were surveyed recently prior to the 2004 floods and results (catch per unit effort=CPUE) are compared. No mussel species was completely eliminated from any stream, but we failed to detect Appalachian elktoe in the Cane and South Toe rivers (French Broad basin), and Brook floater in the Johns River (Catawba basin), at sites that represented the upstream limit of their distribution prior to flooding.