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Communication at the NABS Annual meeting, Keystone, 2000
(337) FISHING FOR ANSWERS: HOSTING FRESHWATER MUSSEL POPULATIONS IN LAKE ERIE DRAINAGES OF SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN.
R. Sherman Mulcrone. University of Michigan, Museum of Zoology, Mollusk Division, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109
Freshwater mussels in the family Unionidae have an obligate parasitic larval stage (glochidia). I tested the hypothesis that mussel densities increase with increased densities of known host fish by examining populations of the snuffbox mussel, Epioblasma triquetra, and the wavy-rayed lamp mussel, Lampsilis fasciola within Lake Erie drainages of southeastern Michigan. Fish and mussel densities were recorded at 24 sites from May to September, 1998 and 1999. Sites chosen had present or historic records of E. triquetra and L. fasciola. Fish were estimated by three-pass depletion sampling in 100 m stretches. Mussels were counted in 30 random square meters within the 100 m stretch. Epioblasma triquetra was positively correlated with its known fish host, the logperch, Percina caprodes. Lampsilis fasciola was not correlated with its assumed host fish, the smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu. Correlation with four other species suggests these may be fish hosts for L. fasciola. Other factors such as habitat suitability may also affect mussel recruitment. Correlations of other mussel and fish species were examined. Results from this study and geographic information will be used to develop a life history model for the mussels.
Presented at 3:30 PM on Thursday, June 1, 2000 in Conservation Biology of Mussels II
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