5/23/2016  |   15:30 - 15:45   |  302-303

HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF FRESHWATER MUSSELS USING METABOLITE PROFILING Native freshwater mussels are the most imperiled group of animals in North America with more than 2/3 of nearly 300 identified species considered threatened, endangered, or extinct. While translocation and captive propagation are widely supported as appropriate conservation measures, a high proportion of unionids die within the first year of relocation, reducing the effectiveness of such efforts. New research is utilizing metabolic profiling to evaluate the effects of environmental changes. A study was designed to characterize the metabolic profile of Amblema plicata subjected to low nutrient availability. Eight mussels brought into captivity from the wild were isolated for 18 days without a food source. Hemolymph samples were taken prior to, and 9 and 18 days after the start of the study. Samples were analyzed on GC/MS and LC/MS/MS platforms. Captivity and fasting resulted in changes in energy metabolism, free amino acids, fatty acids, nucleic acids, and proliferation pathways. While fasting resulted in severe metabolite depletion, changes were also evident in many captive fed mussels, indicating that mussels may be experiencing nutritional deficiency and other metabolic stressors under common captive conditions.

Ieva Roznere (Primary Presenter/Author), The Ohio State University, roznere.1@osu.edu;


G. Thomas Watters ( Co-Presenter/Co-Author), The Ohio State University, watters.1@osu.edu;


Marymegan Daly ( Co-Presenter/Co-Author), The Ohio State University, daly.66@osu.edu;


Barbara Wolfe ( Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Morris Animal Foundation, bwolfe@morrisanimalfoundation.org;


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5/23/2016  |   16:00 - 16:15   |  302-303

USING ZOOARCHAEOLOGICAL DATA FOR UNIONID CONSERVATION: A CASE STUDY FOR A CENTRAL TEXAS RIVER Anthropogenic impacts have detrimentally impacted aquatic fauna, in particular freshwater mussels. Without accurate knowledge of past freshwater communities, managers potentially target inaccurate conservation baselines to the detriment of these vulnerable communities. Zooarchaeological data from archaeological deposits provide evidence of freshwater mussel communities before industrial anthropogenic impacts and can describe past unionid distributions and habitat refugia. We used zooarchaeological data from the Leon River in Texas to describe changes to the unionid community since 2000 BP and to identify stream reaches for habitat restoration. A longitudinal survey in 2011 found that the freshwater mussel community is declining in diversity, especially near impoundments. Two zooarchaeological datasets represent the late Holocene unionid community before impoundedment. We assessed differences in the taxonomic composition and species rank abundances between the late Holocene and modern unionid communities. Using fuzzy ordination we were able to identify modern mussel beds that are similar to the unionid community from the late Holocene, which suggests these reaches are prime for habitat preservation and/or community restoration. This study is an example of how zooarchaeological data can effectively inform conservation.

Traci DuBose (Primary Presenter/Author), University of Oklahoma, tracipopejoy@ou.edu;


Charles R. Randklev ( Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, crandklev@ag.tamu.edu;


Steve Wolverton ( Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of North Texas, Department of Geography, Steven.Wolverton@unt.edu;


Lisa Nagaoka ( Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of North Texas, Department of Geography, lnagaoka@unt.edu;


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5/23/2016  |   16:15 - 16:30   |  302-303

EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DNA TO CHARACTERIZE THE PRESENCE OF FRESHWATER MUSSELS IN THE SACRAMENTO-SAN JOAQUIN DELTA Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is becoming a useful tool for detecting aquatic biota that have low detectability using traditional sampling surveys. A rapid, cost-effective method, eDNA allows for surveying of rare or cryptic organisms, such as freshwater mussels, without harming the species. We recently developed an eDNA assay that successfully detected California native freshwater mussels in the genera Anodonta, Gonidea, and Margaritifera. To evaluate the eDNA method in tidally influenced waters, we initiated a pilot study to determine if the method would work to characterize the distribution of freshwater mussels in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Duplicate water samples were collected at 10 sites across the Delta, including a site near Stockton where freshwater mussels were previously documented, to determine: (1) a detection rate, and (2) mussel eDNA signal strength. No Gonidea or Margaritifera were detected, but Anodonta spp. was detected at four sites. The presence of shells and live specimens confirmed the presence of Anodonta at one location where eDNA was detected in both replicate samples. Our results indicate eDNA is effective for determining mussel presence/absence in tidally influenced waters.

Ellen Preece (Primary Presenter/Author), Robertson-Bryan Inc., ellen@robertson-bryan.com;


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5/23/2016  |   16:30 - 16:45   |  302-303

VALIDATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DNA FOR DETERMINING PRESENCE OF UNIONID MUSSELS IN A RIVER ENVIRONMENT Environmental DNA (eDNA) has recently emerged as a useful tool for detecting cryptic or rare aquatic organisms such as imperiled freshwater mussels. Recent EPA water quality criteria incorporate a stringent ammonia toxicity criterion where mussels are present. Thus, there is an urgent need for wastewater dischargers to determine mussel presence in their receiving waters. We conducted a pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of eDNA methodology for determining presence/absence of freshwater mussels at six sites in California's Pit River. An eDNA assay was designed to detect California native freshwater mussel species in the genera Anodonta, Gonidea, and Margaritifera. Snorkel surveys conducted at two sites confirmed the presence of all genera. Four replicate river samples were collected at each site. DNA from all three mussel genera was detected in high concentrations in all samples where mussel presence was confirmed. Field blanks collected at two sites were negative, indicating a low likelihood of false-positives. eDNA concentrations were commensurate with recently documented mussel counts at one site. Our results indicate that eDNA is a cost-effective tool for determining mussel presence/absence in lotic systems.

Dave Thomas (Primary Presenter/Author), Robertson-Bryan, Inc., dave@robertson-bryan.com;


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5/23/2016  |   16:45 - 17:00   |  302-303

THE FRESHWATER MUSSELS (BIVALVIA: UNIONOIDA) OF SOUTH AMERICA AND THEIR CONSERVATION STATUS We conducted a systematic re-evaluation of the freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionoida) of South America based on fieldwork, collections-based research in 23 major collections, and a literature review. Digital photographs of specimens and geo-referenced localities were integrated into a database of freshwater mussel taxonomy, literature records, and specimens. To-date, we have captured data on over 8300 lots from South America. The continent is inhabited by three families of freshwater mussels: Etheriidae, Hyriidae, and Mycetopodidae. We currently recognize approximately 130 species in 20 genera. We divided the continent into 5 regions corresponding to major drainages: 1. Northern South America; 2. Amazon; 3. Rio de la Plata; 4. São Francisco and Atlantic tributaries; and 5. Pacific drainages. The most diverse region is the Rio de la Plata with 64 species followed by the Rio São Francisco and Atlantic tribs. (47 species), Amazon basin (43 species), Northern South America (36 species) and the Pacific drainages with 3 species. Although some countries have developed endangered species lists, the freshwater mussels of South America are poorly known making meaningful conservation assessments difficult.

Kevin S. Cummings (Primary Presenter/Author), Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois, USA, kscummin@illinois.edu;


Daniel L. Graf ( Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA, dgraf@uwsp.edu;


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