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toledo1336751342.pdf (1.7 MB)
ETD Abstract Container
Abstract Header
Habitat Use and Community Structure of Unionid Mussels in Three Lake Erie Tributaries
Author Info
Grabarkiewicz, Jeffrey D.
Permalink:
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1336751342
Abstract Details
Year and Degree
2012, Master of Science, University of Toledo, Biology (Ecology).
Abstract
Nearly 300 species of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Superfamily Unionoidea) have been documented in the United States. Unfortunately, this diversity is in peril, with 76 species currently listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. This research established unionid population estimates and habitat use within six reaches of three Western Lake Erie tributaries: the Blanchard River, Swan Creek, and Beaver Creek. Particular emphasis was placed on the federally endangered Rayed Bean (
Villosa fabalis
). Quantitative sampling documented 22 live unionid species and 1,197 live individuals across all reaches and streams. Evidence of recent recruitment was documented for 10 species and size class diversity was found for 15 species. Unionid density and species richness were highest in the Upper Blanchard with a mean reach density of 4.48 unionids per m
2
and 15 live species. Rayed Bean (
V. fabalis
) were estimated at 0.29 per m
2
in the Upper Blanchard and 0.13 per m
2
in Middle Swan Creek. Size class diversity for
V. fabalis
was found in both reaches, with many young individuals (< 18 mm) present in the Upper Blanchard. Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) predicted species richness (R
2
= 0.63) and density (R
2
= 0.52) at the reach scale. Diversity peaked at an intermediate QHEI. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) suggested patterns in habitat use where Kidneyshell (
Ptychobranchus fasciolaris
) and
V. fabalis
were more common in gravel while White Heelsplitter (
Lasmigona complanata complanata
), Giant Floater (
Pyganodon grandis
), and Fatmucket (
Lampsilis siliquoidea
) were substrate generalists. Components 1 and 2 explained 62.6 % of the data variation. Different burrowing patterns were observed among species, with
V. fabalis
, Spike (
Elliptio dilatata
), Wabash Pigtoe (
Fusconaia flava
), Kidneyshell (
P. fasciolaris
), and Rainbow (
Villosa iris
) present in subsurface samples across most size classes. Shell lengths were significantly shorter for
E. dilatata
(p < 0.0001) and
F. flava
(p < 0.0001) found in subsurface samples across all reaches and streams using Mann-Whitney. These patterns appeared to link more with life history than substrate texture. Subsurface sampling highlighted the need to excavate sediments to accurately quantify population size, most notably for
V. fabalis
which were collected almost exclusively from subsurface samples (93%). This is the first large-scale quantitative unionid assessment of Western Lake Erie tributaries and the first extensive sampling of subsurface habitat. Future projects may use these data and results as a baseline when assessing changes in population sizes, determining the need to sample subsurface sediments, and identifying areas where populations of
V. fabalis
may occur.
Committee
Johan Gottgens, PhD (Committee Chair)
Elliot Tramer, PhD (Committee Member)
Daelyn Woolnough, PhD (Committee Member)
Pages
71 p.
Subject Headings
Ecology
Keywords
freshwater mussels
;
unionids
;
Lake Erie
;
Rayed Bean
;
substrate
Recommended Citations
Refworks
EndNote
RIS
Mendeley
Citations
Grabarkiewicz, J. D. (2012).
Habitat Use and Community Structure of Unionid Mussels in Three Lake Erie Tributaries
[Master's thesis, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1336751342
APA Style (7th edition)
Grabarkiewicz, Jeffrey.
Habitat Use and Community Structure of Unionid Mussels in Three Lake Erie Tributaries.
2012. University of Toledo, Master's thesis.
OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center
, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1336751342.
MLA Style (8th edition)
Grabarkiewicz, Jeffrey. "Habitat Use and Community Structure of Unionid Mussels in Three Lake Erie Tributaries." Master's thesis, University of Toledo, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1336751342
Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)
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Document number:
toledo1336751342
Download Count:
582
Copyright Info
© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Toledo and OhioLINK.