Detailed Research Information

Detailed project information for
Study Plan Number 01091

Branch : Fish Health Branch

Study Plan Number : 01091

Study Title : Imperiled freshwater mussels: the need for research to prevent the introduction and transmission of pathogens and diseases

Starting Date : 11/01/2003

Completion Date : 09/30/2006

Principal Investigator(s) : Starliper, Clifford E.

Primary PI : Starliper, Clifford E.

Telephone Number : (304) 724-4433

Email Address : cstarliper@usgs.gov

SIS Number : 5005094

Primary Program Element : Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

Second Program Element : Endangered and At-Risk Species

Status : Completed

Abstract :
BACKGROUND

Approximately 300 species and subspecies of freshwater mussels (Unionidae) are native to North America, and a majority of these are categorized as endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Because freshwater mussels utilize fish hosts in their life cycle for development of glochidia, adverse effects placed on these intermediate hosts directly impacts development of the larval stage and subsequent numbers of juvenile mussels. Factors that have contributed to the decline of the fauna include siltation from runoff and waterway construction. In recent years, declines in mussel populations have been accelerated by the inadvertent introduction of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha. Zebra mussels represent a major threat to populations in major river systems throughout the Mississippi River basin and Great Lakes drainages, causing mortality to native mussel species through impedance of feeding and respiration. The impact that zebra mussels have had on native unionids in some areas is very significant.

OBJECTIVES

1) Develop a database on the quantity and members of the normal bacterial flora, which can subsequently be compared with the flora of other geographic areas and mussel species (Starliper).

2) Determine a range in expected condition factor values for normal, healthy mussels that may be used to detect a relative decrease in their condition in conjunction with disease (Neves).

3) Position ourselves to recognize, isolate and identify a bacterial etiological agent as a cause of a dieoff. These data may provide insightful information to future dieoffs in other geographic locations.

4) With the combined information of the previous objectives, pathogen(s) of freshwater mussels will be identified and more important, they may be screened for during future health and disease inspections prior to relocation. In the event a pathogen is identified in a population of mussels destined for relocation, management strategies can be implemented to prevent transmission to other populations of captive mussels or to the holding facility.

For More Information :

° Home

U.S. Department of the Interior || U.S. Geological Survey
11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA
URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov
Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov
Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn
Privacy Policy and Disclaimers || FOIA || Accessibility

Branch :	Fish Health Branch
Study Plan Number :	01091
Study Title :	Imperiled freshwater mussels: the need for research to prevent the introduction and transmission of pathogens and diseases
Starting Date :	11/01/2003
Completion Date :	09/30/2006
Principal Investigator(s) :	Starliper, Clifford E.
Primary PI :	Starliper, Clifford E.
Telephone Number :	(304) 724-4433
Email Address :	cstarliper@usgs.gov
SIS Number :	5005094
Primary Program Element :	Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Second Program Element :	Endangered and At-Risk Species
Status :	Completed
Abstract :	BACKGROUND Approximately 300 species and subspecies of freshwater mussels (Unionidae) are native to North America, and a majority of these are categorized as endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Because freshwater mussels utilize fish hosts in their life cycle for development of glochidia, adverse effects placed on these intermediate hosts directly impacts development of the larval stage and subsequent numbers of juvenile mussels. Factors that have contributed to the decline of the fauna include siltation from runoff and waterway construction. In recent years, declines in mussel populations have been accelerated by the inadvertent introduction of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha. Zebra mussels represent a major threat to populations in major river systems throughout the Mississippi River basin and Great Lakes drainages, causing mortality to native mussel species through impedance of feeding and respiration. The impact that zebra mussels have had on native unionids in some areas is very significant. OBJECTIVES 1) Develop a database on the quantity and members of the normal bacterial flora, which can subsequently be compared with the flora of other geographic areas and mussel species (Starliper). 2) Determine a range in expected condition factor values for normal, healthy mussels that may be used to detect a relative decrease in their condition in conjunction with disease (Neves). 3) Position ourselves to recognize, isolate and identify a bacterial etiological agent as a cause of a dieoff. These data may provide insightful information to future dieoffs in other geographic locations. 4) With the combined information of the previous objectives, pathogen(s) of freshwater mussels will be identified and more important, they may be screened for during future health and disease inspections prior to relocation. In the event a pathogen is identified in a population of mussels destined for relocation, management strategies can be implemented to prevent transmission to other populations of captive mussels or to the holding facility.
For More Information :
° Home


U.S. Department of the Interior \|\| U.S. Geological Survey 11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn Privacy Policy and Disclaimers \|\| FOIA \|\| Accessibility