Transcript Elliptio complanata Pisidium spp.

Native and invasive mussels
Restoration potential and effects on the
Neponset River
NepWRA
Native bivalve species present
Elliptio complanata
Pisidium spp.
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Restoration problems
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83 of 297 species extinct in North America
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Most imperiled organisms (55% of species)
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Sensitive to environment
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Habitat degradation
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Dams, land use changes siltation, pollution
Hydrologic regime
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IUCN Red listed
Little funding available (2003 US$24k/sp.)
Flow, temperature
Host specific dispersal
Neponset-specific problems:
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Toxic metals
Summer low-flow conditions, high temperature
Low clearance rate
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Unlikely to solve eutrophication problem
Williams et al. 1993
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Comparison of clearance rates
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Native Unionids:
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Low Density
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Filtration rate
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0.006 to 2.327 mussels per m2
1 to 2 l/hr/g AFDM
Total optimal clearance: ~23 l/m2/hr
Invasive Dreissenids:
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High Density
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Filtration rate
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2.5 to 2.6x105 mussels per m2
~5.8 l/hr/g AFDM
Total optimal clearance: ~5500 l/m2/hr
Future residents?
D. polymorpha
D. Rostriformis bugensis
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Usgs.gov
References
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