Natural Resources Research & Management
Natural Resources Research & Management
Freshwater mussels are one of the most imperiled groups of organisms in the world with approximately 70% of the United States’ nearly 300 species considered endangered, threatened, of special concern, or extinct. This is extremely relevant to scientists in the southeastern U.S., as we host around 91% of U.S. mussel diversity. Although mussels appear to live unassuming lives, they contribute important ecosystem services including water quality improvement and nutrient cycling. Adding to their allure, mussels trick fish into carrying their larvae around streams, rivers, and lakes. No free rides, huh? Biologists at The Jones Center developed a new guide with an introduction to freshwater mussel biology and descriptions of the twenty-five currently known mussels in our basin.
“I think it is easy to see all freshwater mussels in the same way, but the more we learn, the more we see how untrue that is,” says Assistant Biologist and lead author, Caitlin Sweeney.
“In addition to describing the physical differences in our local diversity, one of my goals for this guide was to emphasize the many differences our species have in life history. Different species can have life expectancies that vary by many decades. Species mature at different rates, use different fish hosts, attract hosts differently at different times of year, and have differing habitat preferences and tolerances to harsh conditions. Unfortunately, the life history of many species remains largely unknown. Learning and compiling this information is an important step towards conservation and recovery.”
“The photographs in the guide are another strong point that we’re very proud of. Mussel guides aren’t common, and they often rely on images of dead mussel shells. Photos of live mussels aren’t just beautiful, they also help with training for species identification,” says co-author and Associate Biologist, Steve Golladay.
“The only way to photograph live mussels is to get in the water and find them. We performed sixty-two surveys last year for a Habitat Conservation Plan, and we took advantage of the opportunity to photograph them in their natural habitat. We’ve recorded lures from species that we’re not sure anyone else has seen or captured.”
Mussel work at The Jones Center began in 1999 when graduate student Paula Gagnon started investigating the habitat requirements of recently listed endangered species. The Aquatic Biology Lab returned in 2001 following a multi-year drought to assess its impacts on mussel populations in the lower Flint Basin. Now the Affiliate Mussel Conservation Lab is working alongside local farmers, state biologists and hydrologists, and policy makers through the Georgia Flow Incentive Trust (GA-FIT) to develop a Habitat Conservation Plan. Under the plan, new water management strategies would support our freshwater mussels and our regional agricultural economy. We are evaluating data from the 1999 and 2001 surveys with 2023 surveys to assess population recovery and conservation actions.
Steve Golladay says one of the exciting results from the 2023 surveys was observing evidence of recruitment from Shinyrayed Pocketbooks, one of our federally endangered species. “We are finding it in locations that it disappeared from following the extended droughts between 1999-2012. There is still room for concern and the number of federally listed mussels in our basin continues to grow, but we believe our work with GA-FIT will make a big difference for mussels and local farmers. We hope this guide grows an appreciation for our diverse populations of mussels.”
Rachel McGuire, The Jones Center at Ichauway
rachel.mcguire@jonesctr.org
Stephen W. Golladay, PhD, The Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center at Albany State University
steve.golladay@jonesctr.org
Caitlin Sweeney, The Jones Center at Ichauway
caitlin.sweeney@jonesctr.org
This guide was produced with support from The Jones Center at Ichauway with funding from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation. Additional funding came from the Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center at Albany State University.
Freshwater mussels are one of the most imperiled groups of organisms in the world with approximately 70% of the United States’ nearly 300 species considered endangered, threatened, of special concern, or extinct. This is extremely relevant to scientists in the southeastern U.S., as we host around 91% of U.S. mussel diversity. Although mussels appear to live unassuming lives, they contribute important ecosystem services including water quality improvement and nutrient cycling. Adding to their allure, mussels trick fish into carrying their larvae around streams, rivers, and lakes. No free rides, huh? Biologists at The Jones Center developed a new guide with an introduction to freshwater mussel biology and descriptions of the twenty-five currently known mussels in our basin.
“I think it is easy to see all freshwater mussels in the same way, but the more we learn, the more we see how untrue that is,” says Assistant Biologist and lead author, Caitlin Sweeney.
“In addition to describing the physical differences in our local diversity, one of my goals for this guide was to emphasize the many differences our species have in life history. Different species can have life expectancies that vary by many decades. Species mature at different rates, use different fish hosts, attract hosts differently at different times of year, and have differing habitat preferences and tolerances to harsh conditions. Unfortunately, the life history of many species remains largely unknown. Learning and compiling this information is an important step towards conservation and recovery.”
“The photographs in the guide are another strong point that we’re very proud of. Mussel guides aren’t common, and they often rely on images of dead mussel shells. Photos of live mussels aren’t just beautiful, they also help with training for species identification,” says co-author and Associate Biologist, Steve Golladay.
“The only way to photograph live mussels is to get in the water and find them. We performed sixty-two surveys last year for a Habitat Conservation Plan, and we took advantage of the opportunity to photograph them in their natural habitat. We’ve recorded lures from species that we’re not sure anyone else has seen or captured.”
Mussel work at The Jones Center began in 1999 when graduate student Paula Gagnon started investigating the habitat requirements of recently listed endangered species. The Aquatic Biology Lab returned in 2001 following a multi-year drought to assess its impacts on mussel populations in the lower Flint Basin. Now the Affiliate Mussel Conservation Lab is working alongside local farmers, state biologists and hydrologists, and policy makers through the Georgia Flow Incentive Trust (GA-FIT) to develop a Habitat Conservation Plan. Under the plan, new water management strategies would support our freshwater mussels and our regional agricultural economy. We are evaluating data from the 1999 and 2001 surveys with 2023 surveys to assess population recovery and conservation actions.
Steve Golladay says one of the exciting results from the 2023 surveys was observing evidence of recruitment from Shinyrayed Pocketbooks, one of our federally endangered species. “We are finding it in locations that it disappeared from following the extended droughts between 1999-2012. There is still room for concern and the number of federally listed mussels in our basin continues to grow, but we believe our work with GA-FIT will make a big difference for mussels and local farmers. We hope this guide grows an appreciation for our diverse populations of mussels.”
Rachel McGuire, The Jones Center at Ichauway
rachel.mcguire@jonesctr.org
Stephen W. Golladay, PhD, The Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center at Albany State University
steve.golladay@jonesctr.org
Caitlin Sweeney, The Jones Center at Ichauway
caitlin.sweeney@jonesctr.org
This guide was produced with support from The Jones Center at Ichauway with funding from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation. Additional funding came from the Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center at Albany State University.
