Propagation of Species at Risk Atlantic Pigtoe on Military Installations
Abstract
Clean and healthy rivers and streams need freshwater mussels. Freshwater mussels (Order Unionoida) are an important component of many surface water systems. Mussels are bivalves like clams and oysters, and are filter feeders. They settle in to the substrate of rivers and streams and filter bacteria, algae, and other small particles out of the water by a siphoning action, drawing water in, passing it over its gills for oxygenation and filtration, and then expelling the filtered water out again (Figure 1). This means that the presence of freshwater mussels can actually work to improve water quality. But freshwater mussels have become the nation's most endangered group of animals. Mussels serve as a vital trophic link in aquatic systems, harvesting smaller particles from the water stream, and completing nutrient and energy cycles by converting them into an important food source for a wide variety of fish, reptiles, birds and mammals. Their shells provide a foundation for the growth of algae, aquatic insects, and plants, and even when dead their shells can contribute to substrate diversity, providing foraging and egg-laying sites for fish like madtoms (Noturus spp.) and darters (Percidae family). Their primarily sedentary lifestyle and their feeding habits make mussels particularly vulnerable to environmental degradation and so they can be valuable indicator species for water quality monitoring, and can be used to indicate the presence (or absence) of environmental perturbations like excess sedimentation and organic waste or nutrient pollution.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 30, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA534876
Entities
People
- Eric D. Wolf
Organizations
- Virginia Tech