Detailed project information for Study Plan Number 02047-03

Branch :	Aquatic Ecology Branch
Study Plan Number :	02047-03
Study Title :	Ecology and biology of declining freshwater mussels
Starting Date :	10/01/1994
Completion Date :	12/31/2008
Principal Investigator(s) :	Villella, Rita
Primary PI :	Villella, Rita
Telephone Number :	(304) 724-4472
Email Address :	rita_villella@usgs.gov
SIS Number :	5002169
Primary Program Element :	Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Second Program Element :
Status :	Active
Abstract :	Though North America has the richest freshwater mussel fauna in the world, the majority of this fauna is in decline due to a variety of causes. Though the decline of freshwater mussels has been documented in nearly every watershed in the eastern United States, there is a lack of quantitative information and data on specific causes for decline in most rivers and precise effects. To further hamper the development of means to reverse this decline, the life history of most species is still not known. For example, only a third of the species have a known fish host identified. Information on population structure is also lacking for unionids and is needed to develop appropriate management plans to protect existing species and to maintain the potential for evolutionary change.
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