Jeffrey C. Cole

Newly Documented Host Fishes for the Eastern Elliptio Mussel Elliptio complanata

Abstract The eastern elliptio Elliptio complanata is a common, abundant, and ecologically important freshwater mussel that occurs throughout the Atlantic Slope drainage in the United States and Canada. Previous research has shown E. complanata glochidia to be host fish generalists, parasitizing yellow perch Perca flavescens, banded killifish Fundulus diaphanus, banded sculpin Cottus carolinae, and seven centrarchid species. Past laboratory studies have been conducted in the Midwest; however, glochidia used in these studies were obtained from adult mussels in the Great Lakes or St. Lawrence River basins, or glochidia sources were not reported. The objective of this study was to identify host fishes for E. complanata from streams in the Mid-Atlantic region. We used artificial laboratory infections to test host suitability of 38 fish and 2 amphibian species with E. complanata glochidia from the Chesapeake Bay drainage. Glochidia successfully metamorphosed into juvenile mussels on five fish species: American ...

Host Identification for Strophitus undulatus (Bivalvia: Unionidae), the Creeper, in the Upper Susquehanna River Basin, Pennsylvania

Abstract Hosts for Strophitus undulatus (Bivalvia: Unionidae) were identified through laboratory infestations. Strophitus undulatus had a low degree of host specificity, transforming on 15 of 22 species examined, including three non-native species and one anadromous species. Suitable hosts included five cyprinid species, two salmonids, two centrarchids, two percids and Acipenser oxyrhynchus (Atlantic sturgeon), Ameiurus natalis (yellow bullhead), Cottus cognatus (slimy sculpin) and Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens (red-spotted newt). Ten hosts were previously unknown. No metamorphosis was observed in a control treatment without a potential host. Recovery of juveniles occurred 12–41 d after infestation at 13–18 C. Duration of glocidial attachment to the hosts declined with increasing water temperature.

Population Demographics for the Federally Endangered Dwarf Wedgemussel

Abstract The dwarf wedgemussel Alasmidonta heterodon is a federally endangered freshwater mussel species inhabiting several Atlantic Slope rivers. Studies on population demographics of this species are necessary for status assessment and directing recovery efforts. We conducted qualitative and quantitative surveys for dwarf wedgemussel in the mainstem Delaware River and in four of its tributaries (Big Flat Brook, Little Flat Brook, Neversink River, and Paulinskill River). We quantified population range, relative abundance, size, size structure, and sex ratio within each river. We estimated total dwarf wedgemussel population size for the surveyed rivers in the Delaware Basin to be 14,432 individuals (90% confidence limits, 7,961–26,161). Our results suggest that the historically robust Neversink River population has declined, but that this population persists and substantial populations remain in other tributaries. Sex ratios were generally female-biased, and small individuals (<10 mm) found in all rivers ...