The Livers of the Rivers: Freshwater Mussels of Texas
Texas Master Naturalist Annual Meeting 2019 – Rockwall, Texas Saturday, October 19, 2019 Outline:
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Firm/Speaker Freshwater Mussel Threats to Texas Mussel Mussel Introduction Mussels 101 Identification Mussels Regulations Surveys and and Diversity Relocation Efforts Firm Introduction
Cox|McLain Environmental Consulting Inc. (CMEC)
HUB/DBE/WBE-certified environmental consulting firm
Founded in 2007
Offices in Dallas, Houston, and Austin, Texas and Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Staff includes biologists, wetland ecologists, planners, GIS specialists, archeologists, archival researchers, architectural historians, and a historic architect
Specializes in NEPA processing Speaker Introduction:
Certified Associate Wildlife Biologist®, The Wildlife Society USFWS, TPWD, and ODWC Permitted Biologist Master of Science, Conservation Biology and Bachelor of Science, Wildlife and Fisheries Science Senior Wildlife Biologist for Cox|McLain Environmental Consulting, Inc. in Irving, Texas. Section 401/404 of the Clean Water Act Permitting Threatened/Endangered Species Surveys NEPA Reports and Processes Migratory Bird Treaty Act Compliance Freshwater Mussels 101
Family Genera Species Unionidae* 48 295 Margaritiferidae 2 5 Dreissendia 2 3 Corbiculidae 1 2 Sphaeriidae 4 39 Total 57 344 Freshwater Mussels 101
Most endangered group of organisms in North America 35 species have gone extinct in NA in the past century Approx. 300 species in NA Approx. 50 species in Texas New genetic information and invasives constantly shifting Freshwater Mussels 101
Where can you find mussels? Freshwater Mussels 101
Where can you find mussels? Freshwater Mussels 101 Freshwater Mussels 101 Freshwater Mussels 101 Historic Use
Buttons in the Early 20th Century Cultured Pearls in the 20th and 21st Century Mussel Identification and Diversity Mussel Identification and Diversity Mussel Identification and Diversity Mussel Identification and Diversity Mussel Identification and Diversity
Major Drainage Basins
San Antonio River
Cypress River
Sabine River
San Jacinto River
West/South Texas
Rio Conchos
Rio Salado
Rio San Juan
Rio Grande Mussel Identification and Diversity Protected Mussels
Central Texas False Spike -T
Texas Fatmucket – C, T
Texas Fawnsfoot – C, T
Texas pimpleback – C, T East Texas Louisiana pigtoe -T
Sandbank pocketbook -T
Southern hickorynut -T
Texas heelsplitter -T
Texas pigtoe -T West Texas Mexican fawnsfoot -T
Salina mucket -T
Texas hornshell – FE, T Trinity River Mussels
Threeridge (Amblema plicata)
Rock pocketbook (Arcidens confragosus)
Tampico pearlymussel (Cyrtonaias tampicoensis)
Trinity pigtoe (Fusconaia chunii)
Wabash pigtoe (Fusconaia flava)
Louisiana fatmucket (Lampsilis hydiana)
Sandbank Pocketbook (Lampsilis satura)
Yellow sandshell (Lampsilis teres)
Fragile papershell (Leptodea fragilis)
Pond mussel (Ligumia subrostrata)
Washboard (Megalonaias nervosa)
Threehorn wartyback (Obliquaria reflexa)
Bankclimber (Plectomerus dombevanus)
Louisiana pigtoe (Pleurobema riddellii)
Texas heelsplitter (Potamilus amphichaenus) Trinity River Mussels
Brazos papershell (Potamilus ohiensis)
Bleufer (Potamilus purpuratus)
Giant floater (Pyganodon grandis)
Southern mapleleaf (Quadrula apiculate)
Western pimpleback (Quadrula mortoni)
Gulf mapleleaf (Quadrula nobilis)
Lilliput (Toxolasma parvum)
Texas lilliput (Toxolasma texasiensis)
Pistolgrip (Quadrula verrucosa)
Fawnsfoot (Truncilla donaciformis)
Deertoe (Truncilla truncata)
Tapered pondhorn (Uniomerus declivis)
Pondhorn (Uniomerus tetralasus)
Ppaer pondhsell (Utterbackia imbecillis)
Little spectaclecase (Villosa lienosa) Threeridge (Amblema plicata)
Habitat: Sediments of mud, silt, gravel, and cobble Streams, Rivers, Lakes, and Reservoirs Size: To 118mm in shell length Shell Characteristics: Thick and solid, beaks rise above hinge line but not highly elevated, 3-7 heavy ridges running diagonally, without sculpturing in the anterior-dorsal area Shell Teeth: Two left/one right pseudocardinal, large triangular. Both lateral, long, thick, and nearly straight Rock Pocketbook (Arcidens confragosus)
Habitat: Sediments of mud, sand, gravel Generally fast moving water, can tolerate impoundments Size: To 130mm in shell length Shell Characteristics: Moderately thick and heavy in older individuals, beak full and elevated above hinge line, heavily sculptured Shell Teeth: Two left/one right pseudocardinal, elongate thin and compressed. Both lateral, reduced to a single sharp ridge in both valves of absent Tampico Pearlymussel (Cyronaias tampicoensis)
Habitat: Sediments of mud, sand, gravel, cobble, or rock Generally slow-flowing, mud-bottomed rivers or gravel-bottomed stream, tolerant of impoundments Size: To 156mm in shell length Shell Characteristics: Moderately thick, solid, beaks rise above hinge line, slightly winged, broadly rounded posterior ridge, no sculpturing Shell Teeth: Two left/one right pseudocardinal, pointed or strongly squared. Both lateral, large two ridges, angling with curvature Trinity Pigtoe (Fusconaia chunii)
Habitat:
Sediments of mud, sand, and fine gravel
Protected areas associated with fallen trees or structures Size:
To 70mm in shell length Shell Characteristics:
Inflated, solid, rounded anteriorly, full and high beak Shell Teeth:
Two left/one right pseudocardinal, triangular and ragged. Both lateral, sharply curved and well defined. Washbash Pigtoe (Fusconaia flava)
Habitat:
Sediments of mud, sand, and gravel
Moderate and swift current velocities, creeks and large rivers Size:
To 78mm in shell length Shell Characteristics:
Shape variable, broadly to sharply triangular or elongate, inflated in large river systems, moderately thick Shell Teeth:
Two left/one right pseudocardinal, triangular, rough, and serrate. Both lateral, straight to slightly curved Louisiana Fatmucket (Lampsilis hydiana)
Habitat: Sediments of rock, gravel, sand, mud and mixtures of substrates Rivers, streams, reservoirs in flow-flow to backwater areas Size: To 95mm in shell length Shell Characteristics: Rhomboidal to nearly oval, broadly rounded anteriorly, highly inflated with moderate beak heights Shell Teeth: Two left/one right pseudocardinal, compressed, erect anterior tooth. Both lateral, moderately long, compressed, leaf-like Sandbank Pocketbook (Lampsilis satura)
Habitat:
Sediments of gravel, gravel-sand, and sand bottoms
Small to large rivers with moderate to swift flows
Size:
To 103mm in shell length
Shell Characteristics:
Suboval, inflated to greatly inflated, moderately thick, broadly rounded hingeline
Shell Teeth:
Two left/one right pseudocardinal, thin but well-developed, leaf-like. Both lateral, moderately long and high Yellow Sandshell (Lampsilis teres)
Habitat:
Generalist, from rock to mud, but avoids deep shifting sands
Large to small streams and rivers, often turbid water with flow to fast-flows
Size:
To 178mm in shell length
Shell Characteristics:
Elliptical to oblong and elongate, shell thin when smaller but thicker when older
Shell Teeth:
Two left/one right pseudocardinal, high elongate, compressed. Both lateral, long and slightly curved Fragile Papershell (Lampsilis fragilis)
Habitat:
Substrates of mud, gravel, sand, and silt
Small streams to large rivers, in swiftly flowing waters
Size:
To 133mm in shell length
Shell Characteristics:
Elliptical or oval, thin, brittle, fragile, cracks upon drying, large posterior wings may be present
Shell Teeth:
Two left/one right pseudocardinal, low and parallel to hinge line. Both lateral, low, smooth, and slightly curved Pond Mussel (Lampsilis subrostrata)
Habitat:
Substrates of hard to soft mud, silt, gravel, and cobble; rarely on rock
Small, shallow ponds, oxbows, and sloughs
Size:
To 97mm in shell length
Shell Characteristics:
Somewhat elongate to nearly elliptical, moderately thick, beak broad and low
Shell Teeth:
Two left/one right pseudocardinal, thin, erect, and nearly parallel to the hinge line. Both lateral, long, thin, slightly curved Washboard (Megalonaias nervosa)
Habitat: Substrates of mud, gravel, silt, cobble, and boulders Typically a large-river species, tolerant of impoundments Size: To 230mm in shell length Shell Characteristics: Quadrate to rhomboidal, solid, thick in larger specimens, beak narrow and not raised above the hingeline Shell Teeth: Two left/one right pseudocardinal, rough, grooved, triangular. Both lateral, long and nearly straight Threehorn Wartyback (Obliquaria reflexa)
Habitat: Substrates of gravel, sand, mud, and cobble Medium to large rovers with moderate current Size: To 46mm in shell length Shell Characteristics: Irregular in shape, anterior rounded, posterior pointed, 2 to 5 (usually 3) external knots or nodules positioned alternately from those on the opposite side Shell Teeth: Two left/one right pseudocardinal, heavy, large, rough, and deeply grooved. Both lateral, short and nearly straight Bankclimber (Plectomerus dombeyanus)
Habitat:
Substrates of mud, gravel, and rock
Moderate to sluggish current in lowland rivers Size:
To 132mm in shell length Shell Characteristics:
Stout, moderately inflated to relatively compressed, anterior rounded, high posterior ridge Shell Teeth:
Two left/one right pseudocardinal, divergent, triangular. Both lateral, long, high, and slightly curved Louisiana Pigtoe (Pleurobema riddellii)
Habitat: Sediments of mud, sand, and fine gravel Protected areas associated with fallen trees or structures Size: To 36mm in shell length Shell Characteristics: Inflated, solid, posterior thicker, elevated posterior ridge, high beak that hooks inward Shell Teeth: Two left/one right pseudocardinal, rough and irregular. Both lateral, short, nearly double Texas Heelsplitter (Potamilus amphichaenus)
Habitat: Sediments of sand and mud Quite waters, tolerant of impoundments Size: To 77mm in shell length Shell Characteristics: Elongate, thin, inflated with poorly developed wing, apertures at anterior and posterior margins Shell Teeth: Two left/one right pseudocardinal, compressed, lamellar, poorly defined. Both lateral, moderately long, compressed and moderately high Brazos Papershell (Potamilus ohiensis)
Habitat: Sediments of sand, mud, and silt Still to flowing waters, tolerant of impoundments and backwaters Size: To 141mm in shell length Shell Characteristics: Ovate to elliptical, thin and cracks when dried, small anterior wing, slightly inflated Shell Teeth: Two left/one right pseudocardinal, divergent and poorly defined. Both lateral, short, curved ad sometimes poorly developed Bleufer (Potamilus purpuratus)
Habitat:
Sediments of mud and gravel
Deep-water streams or pools, tolerant of impoundments
Size:
To 176mm in shell length
Shell Characteristics:
Stout and thick, beak narrow, raised above hinge line, usually heavily eroded
Shell Teeth:
Two left/one right pseudocardinal, pointed to nearly square, tilted forward. Both lateral, moderately long to short and well defined with no angle that follows the hingeline. Giant Floater (Pyganodon grandis)
Habitat:
Sediments of mud bottoms
Quite waters with little to no flow, tolerant of impoundments Size:
To 170mm in shell length Shell Characteristics:
Elliptical, thin but solid, anterior curved, inflated, beaks swollen and elevated Shell Teeth:
No teeth present Southern Mapleleaf (Quadrula apiculata)
Habitat: Sediments of mud, gravel, sand, and cobble Rivers and streams, slow moving canals, tolerant of impoundments Size: To 129mm in shell length Shell Characteristics: Quadrate, thin to very thick, beaks extend well above the hinge line, sculpturing of small pimples that cover the entire surface Shell Teeth: Two left/one right pseudocardinal, often deeply grooved. Both lateral, straight to nearly straight Western Pimpleback (Quadrula mortoni)
Habitat: Sediments of sand and mud Rivers, tolerant of impoundments Size: To 67mm in shell length Shell Characteristics: Round to elongate, inflated, high beak, occasionally sculptured with large pustules or tear-shaped plications Shell Teeth: Two left/one right pseudocardinal, triangular, elevated well above the hinge line. Both lateral, relatively short, slightly curved Gulf Mapleleaf (Quadrula nobilis)
Habitat: Sediments of gravel, sand, and mud Slow to swift waters, rivers, tolerant of impoundments Size: To 84mm in shell length Shell Characteristics: Moderately inflated, beak above hinge line, prominent posterior ridge, sculpturing of two parallel lines of shelved pustules Shell Teeth: Two left/one right pseudocardinal, erect, rough, grooved, and triangular. Both lateral, slightly curved and short Lilliput (Toxolasma parvus)
Habitat:
Sediments of mud and sand
Still waters, tolerant of impoundments Size:
To 40mm in shell length Shell Characteristics:
Subelliptical to suboval, stout, margins parallel and straight Shell Teeth:
Two left/one right pseudocardinal, erect, divergent, compressed, triangular. Both lateral, moderately long, slightly curved, thin Texas Lilliput (Toxolasma texasiensis)
Habitat:
Sediments of mud or sand
Still waters, tolerant of impoundments Size:
To 75mm in shell length Shell Characteristics:
Elliptical, thin to moderately thick, beaks low and flattened Shell Teeth:
Two left/one right pseudocardinal, erect, triangular. Both lateral, curved or straight, thin, and short Pistolgrip (Tritogonia verrucosa)
Habitat:
Sediments of mud, sand, clay, rock, cobble, gravel, and silt
Generalist, found in all water types Size:
To 170mm in shell length Shell Characteristics:
Solid, beaks low and not rising above the hinge line, posterior ridge prominent Shell Teeth:
Two left/one right pseudocardinal, large, erect, grooved, and triangular. Both lateral, long and curved Fawnsfoot (Truncilla donaciformis)
Habitat: Sediments of sand, mud, gravel, silt, and cobble Small and large rivers in still to swift waters Size: To 61mm in shell length Shell Characteristics: Elliptical, moderately inflated, beak narrow and raised above the hinge line Shell Teeth: Two left/one right pseudocardinal, erect, divergent. Both lateral, moderately long, slightly curved Deertoe (Truncilla truncata)
Habitat: Sediments of mud, gravel, and cobble Standing to swift waters in small to large rivers Size: To 60mm in shell length Shell Characteristics: Triangular, stout, narrow beak raised above the hinge line, sharp posterior ridge Shell Teeth: Two left/one right pseudocardinal, tall, rough, compressed, and nearly parallel. Both lateral, short and slightly curved Tapered Pondhorn (Uniomerus declivis)
Habitat:
Sediments of clay
Intermittent streams, tolerant of impoundments and strandings Size:
To 121mm in shell length Shell Characteristics:
Relatively thin, low beaks, posterior ridge high, narrow, rounded Shell Teeth:
Two left/one right pseudocardinal, somewhat compressed, triangular, rough margins. Both lateral, straight or parallel to margin Pondhorn (Uniomerus tetralasum)
Habitat:
Sediments of mud
Tolerant of impoundments, small stream to medium rivers Size:
To 141mm in shell length Shell Characteristics:
Relatively thin but solid, beaks low and only slightly above the hinge line Shell Teeth:
Two left/one right pseudocardinal, low, thin, divergent and parallel to hinge line. Both lateral, thin, low, and slightly curved Paper Pondshell (Utterbackia imbecillis)
Habitat:
Sediments of silt, sand, or gravel and cobble
Rivers, streams, and slow-moving waters, tolerant of impoundments Size:
To 90mm in shell length Shell Characteristics:
Elliptical to oblong, thin and fragile, beak low and even with hinge line Shell Teeth:
No teeth present Little Spectaclecase (Villosa lienosa)
Habitat:
Sediments of silt
Creeks and river, tolerant of impoundments
Size:
To 67mm in shell length Shell Characteristics:
Oval, oblong, stout, moderately inflated, margins slightly curved Shell Teeth:
Two left/one right pseudocardinal, erect, triangular. Both lateral, short and curved Threats to Mussels
Agricultural Use Development/Physical Impacts Water Quality Degradation Water Use/Availability Invasives
Asian Clam
Zebra Mussel Indirect/Cumulative Impacts Threats to Mussels
Indirect/Cumulative Impacts
Changes in water velocities
High velocity/low duration (flashy systems)
Shear stress
Changes in water depth
Changes in salinity
Changes in plant cover/shade
Changes in water temperatures Construction of Dams and Impoundments
Fish migration Water Temperature Water Quality Sediment Transport Organic Matter Transport Hydrologic Flow Regime Modification Invasive Species
Asian Clams in Texas Zebra Mussels in Texas 1988 Great Lakes 1996 Mississippi River Basin 2000s Trinity River, Colorado, Brazos, Red, Sabine, Neches River Basins Filter up to 1L/day Grow 0.5mm/day and 2.0cm/year Life Span of 3-9 years Densities of 700,00/m2 Free swimming veligers Texas Mussel Regulations
Laws cover both living animals and shell material Freshwater mussel collectors are required to have one of the following:
A commercial mussel and clam fisherman’s license
No new commercial licenses (August 2006)
Fishing license (does not cover T&E species)
Scientific Collector’s Permit Mussel Surveys and Relocation Efforts
TPWD Kills and Spills Team (KAST) Aquatic Resource Relocation Plans (ARRP) and Relocation Permits Public waters of the state Work within the water Pipelines Boring/Trenching Municipal Road/bridge Construction Dam Work Boat Ram Construction/Maintenance Dewatering Coffer Dams Stream Bank Restoration Survey Types
Tactile Surveys
100% coverage
Small areas
Shallow waters
Limited visibility
High searcher efficiency
High effort
Bias towards larger individuals
Relocation Efforts Survey Types
Qualitative Time-trials
Calculating person-hours and minimum level of effort
Generation of a species abundance curve
Large areas
Low searcher efficiency
Low effort
Bias towards larger individuals
Presence/absence surveys Survey Types
Semi-Quantitative Sampling
Establishing sampling transects
Quadrates
Calculating a minimum sampling percentage
Generally 10%
Large areas
Low searcher efficiency
Low effort
No bias
Presence/absence surveys Survey Types
Quantitative Multi-Pass Depletion
Based on a percentage of the previous passes ‘catch’
Greater than, less than 20%
Small areas
High searcher efficiency
High effort
No bias
Relocation efforts Relocation Efforts
Relocation Site Selection
Generally the same stream reach
Upstream of impact area Mark-Recapture PIT Long-term monitoring of success Ryan Blankenship, AWB Senior Wildlife Biologist|Irving Office Manager Cox|McLain Environmental Consulting, Inc. 600 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 186 Irving, Texas 75062 (469) 647-4866 [email protected]