Distribution and Life History of the Unionidae (Bivalvia: Mollusca) in the Assiniboine River Drainage in Manitoba, with special reference to Anodontoides ferussacianus by Ernest Thomas Watson A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Department of Zoology University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada O July 28, 2000 National Library Bibliothèque nationale 1*1 of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographie Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395, nre Wdlingtm Ottawa ON KlAON4 OnewaON KlA OCYI, Canada CaMda The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une iicence non exclusive Licence ailowing the exclusive permettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or seil reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microforrn, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/nlm, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. 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THE UNIVERSïïY OF MANITOBA FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES ++++* COPYRIGHT PERMISSION PAGE Distribution and Life History of the Unioniche (Bivdvia: MoUusca) in the Assiniboine River Drainage in Manitoba, with special reference to Anodanloidcs ferussucionus Ernest Thomas Watson A Thesis/Practicum submitted to the Ficuity of Graduate Studies of The University of Manitoba in partial fulNlment of the rcquiremcnts of the degrec of Master of Science ERNEST THOMAS WATSON Permission has been granted to the Libnry of The University of Manitoba to lend or seil copies of this thesis/practicum, to the National Library of Canada to microfilm tbis thesis/practicum and to lend or seU copies of the film, and to Dissertations Abstracts International to publish an abstract of this thesis/practicum. The author reserves other publication rights, and neither this thesis/practicum nor extensive ertracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's written permission. ABSTRACT This study exarnined the distribution of the freshwater rnussels in the Assiniboine River and some of its tributaries in Manitoba, and the life history of the cylindrical floater mussel (Anodontoides ferussacianus) in a small prairie stream. Twelve species of freshwater mussels were found in the Assiniboine River drainage. Each species exhibited specific stream size and substrate preferences. Examination of species occurrences resulted in the identification of four species categories based on stream size preferences (small stream, medium stream, large stream, and ubiquitous categories), but some overlap existed between one category and the next. Individuals of A. ferussacianus in the Cypress River near St. Alfonse, Manitoba, displayed a bradytictic breeding pattern. Fertilization of ova occurred in late July and eady August, and mature glochidia were released from marsupia in May and June. Individuals in this population matured at age 1, which is the lowest recorded for any species of freshwater mussel. The growth rate and density of A. ferussacianus in the Cypress River is similar to other populations of freshwater mussels in lotic systems. Young individuals comprised a large proportion of the mussels collected. This age structure rnay be due to selective predation of older year classes. Small, one year-old mussels were found beneath the sediment surface throughout the year. Older individuals (Year 2+) occurred at the sediment surface in May and June, after which they burrowed into the sediments. The seasona l vertical migration displayed by older individuals of A. ferussacianus in the Cypress River probably was not a behavioral response, but rather because of high water velocities. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study was made possible with funding provided by The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Sustainable Fisheries Program. First, I would Iike to thank my supervisor, Dr. Lane Graham, for all his guidance, giving up a portion of his lab (and putting up with the mess), and for his infinite patience. Special thanks goes to Dr. William Franzin for providing me the opportunity to pursue my interests, his support and advice, and providing lab space and a place to park my computer. I would also like to thank Dr. Terry Galloway and Dr. Rob Roughly for serving on my cornmittee. Thanks to Sean A. Cahilf, Don G. Cobb, Maureen G. Forster, Michael G. Johnson, Patrick A. Nelson, and Fiona A. Punter for their invaluable assistance in sampling, and making my field seasons an experience l'II never forget. Finally, special thanks to my parents and my future wife Shannon for their support, encouragement. understanding, and faith throughout the entire process. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT ................................................................................................ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.......................................................................... TABLE OF CONTENTS........... .... ......................................................... LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................... LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................... LIST OF APPENDICES .............................................................................. CHAPTER 1 .INTRODUCTION ................................................................ CHAPTER 2 .SELECTED LITERATURE REVIEW.................................. Introduction............................................................................. Life Cycle................................. .. ...................................................... Hermaphroditism.................................................................. Brooding.............................................................................. Parasitic Phase of the Mussel Life Cycle............................. Juvenile Development.......................................................... Mussel Growth ...................................................................... Shell Formation and Structure.......... .... ..................................... Shell Formation..................................................................... Macroscopic and Microscopic Lines....-.-------- ... ............... Age determination........................................................................... External Growth Method....................................................... Thin-sectioning.................................................................... Acetate Peels....................................... .... .. Other Methods...................................................................... CHAPTER 3 .DISTRIBUTION OF UNlONlDAE IN THE ASSINIBOINE RIVER DRAINAGE..................................................................................... Introduction...................................................................................... Methods........................................................................................... Study Area .......................................................................... Sampling.............. .. ............................................................ Assiniboine River Collections........... ...... ................. Tributary Collections .................................................. Sampling Modifications.............................................. Processing of Collections..................................................... Results............................................................................................. Ageing and Growth............................................................... Age of Sexual Maturity, Sex Ratio, and Hermaphroditisrn... Reproductive Cycle............................................................... Benthic Distributions............................................................. Discussion............ .... .................................................................. Density.................................................................................. Ageing and Growth............................................................... Age of Sexual Maturity, Sex Ratio, and Hermaphroditism... Reproductive Cycle .............................................................. Benthic Distributions............................................................. CHAPTER 5 .CONCLUSIONS .................................................................. APPENDICES Appendix 1. A note on freshwater mussel classification ............................ Appendix 2 . Species and physical data for mussels collected from the Assiniboine River drainage in Manitoba ............................................... Appendix 3 . Locations from which mussel species were collected in this survey................................................................................................... Appendix 4 . Distribution maps freshwater mussels collected from the 1995 and 1996 surveys of the Assiniboine River Drainage in Manitoba..............................................................................................