Program Type
Undergraduate
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Kyler Hecke, Dr. Tom Nupp
Document Type
Poster
Location
Face-to-face
Start Date
18-4-2024 1:00 PM
Abstract
Understanding species distributions is of utmost importance for effective conservation of aquatic resources. Freshwater mussels are among the most imperiled taxonomic groups as they are experiencing rapid declines in the southeastern United States. Standard mussel surveys are typically conducted on larger streams and rivers, leaving small headwater tributaries unsampled. Our study looked to document mussels in headwater tributaries of the Ouachita River watershed. We conducted standardized time-based surveys at 19 sites across nine tributaries using snorkeling, grubbing, and raking methodologies in the summer of 2023. Furthermore, we collected measurements on water quality (pH, conductivity, salinity, total dissolved solids, and temperature) and physical habitat characteristics (substrate, habitat type, and stream width/depth) at each sampling location. Most streams displayed intermittent characteristics, only having disconnected pools as available potential habitat. Mussels were observed at 8 of 19 sites, with no mussels being observed in three streams. A total of 209 individuals across seven species were observed at these eight sites. Lampsilis hydiana (Louisiana Fatmucket) and Toxolasma lividum (Purple Lilliput) were the most abundant species documented. The least abundant species was Strophitus undulatus (Creeper). Our results provide insight into the mussels of small tributaries. Furthermore, documentation of small size classes for some species support that active recruitment is occurring within these streams and suggests that they act as important habitats for mussel populations in this region.
Recommended Citation
Huckeba, Aaron J.; Drake, Seth; Moles, Kendall; McCollough, Risa; and Mansor, Nathan, "A survey of mussels in small tributaries of the Ouachita River Headwaters" (2024). ATU Research Symposium. 44.
https://orc.library.atu.edu/atu_rs/2024/2024/44
Included in
A survey of mussels in small tributaries of the Ouachita River Headwaters
Face-to-face
Understanding species distributions is of utmost importance for effective conservation of aquatic resources. Freshwater mussels are among the most imperiled taxonomic groups as they are experiencing rapid declines in the southeastern United States. Standard mussel surveys are typically conducted on larger streams and rivers, leaving small headwater tributaries unsampled. Our study looked to document mussels in headwater tributaries of the Ouachita River watershed. We conducted standardized time-based surveys at 19 sites across nine tributaries using snorkeling, grubbing, and raking methodologies in the summer of 2023. Furthermore, we collected measurements on water quality (pH, conductivity, salinity, total dissolved solids, and temperature) and physical habitat characteristics (substrate, habitat type, and stream width/depth) at each sampling location. Most streams displayed intermittent characteristics, only having disconnected pools as available potential habitat. Mussels were observed at 8 of 19 sites, with no mussels being observed in three streams. A total of 209 individuals across seven species were observed at these eight sites. Lampsilis hydiana (Louisiana Fatmucket) and Toxolasma lividum (Purple Lilliput) were the most abundant species documented. The least abundant species was Strophitus undulatus (Creeper). Our results provide insight into the mussels of small tributaries. Furthermore, documentation of small size classes for some species support that active recruitment is occurring within these streams and suggests that they act as important habitats for mussel populations in this region.