Role of ecological factors and reproductive strategies in structuring freshwater mussel communities

1998 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendell R Haag ◽  
Melvin L Warren, Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Fish Community ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Freshwater Mussel ◽  
Fish Density ◽  
Drainage Basins ◽  
Host Fish ◽  
Mussel Species ◽  
Community Variation ◽  
Host Fishes

Freshwater mussel community composition within two drainage basins in Alabama, U.S.A., was better explained by patterns of variability in the fish community and the type of strategy used by mussels for infecting host-fishes than by patterns of variability in microhabitat. Mussel species richness increased in a downstream direction, and large-stream sites were characterized by a distinctive faunal assemblage that was similar between drainages. In contrast, faunal composition of headwater sites varied widely between drainages. Patterns of mussel community variation were correlated with patterns of fish community variation but not with habitat. Densities of host-specialist mussels with elaborate host-attracting mechanisms and host-generalist mussels were independent of host-fish densities, and these mussels were present throughout the drainages. Densities of host-specialist mussels without elaborate host-attracting mechanisms were correlated positively with host-fish densities and were absent or rare in headwater and midreach streams. We propose that mussel species dependent on host-fish density are restricted to sites with stable numbers of hosts, but mussels not dependent on host-fish density are able to persist in areas with more unstable fish assemblages, such as headwaters.

Characterizing the early life history of an imperiled freshwater mussel (Ptychobranchus jonesi) with host-fish determination and fecundity estimation

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 338-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. McLeod ◽  
Howard L. Jelks ◽  
Sandra Pursifull ◽  
Nathan A. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Freshwater Mussel ◽  
Early Life History ◽  
Host Fish ◽  
History Of

scholarly journals Effects of enhanced hydrological connectivity on Mediterranean salt marsh fish assemblages with emphasis on the endangered Spanish toothcarp (Aphanius iberus)

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Prado ◽  
Carles Alcaraz ◽  
Lluis Jornet ◽  
Nuno Alberto Caiola ◽  
Carles Ibáñez
Keyword(s):  
Salt Marsh ◽  
Fish Community ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Fish Population ◽  
Important Variable ◽  
Hydrological Connectivity ◽  
Local Diversity ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Migratory Movements

The hydrological connectivity between the salt marsh and the sea was partially restored in a Mediterranean wetland containing isolated ponds resulting from former salt extraction and aquaculture activities. A preliminary assessment provided evidence that ponds farther from the sea hosted very large numbers of the endangered Spanish toothcarp, Aphanius iberus, suggesting that individuals had been trapped and consequently reach unnaturally high densities. In order to achieve both habitat rehabilitation and toothcarp conservation, efforts were made to create a gradient of hydrologically connected areas, including isolated fish reservoirs, semi-isolated, and connected salt marsh–sea areas that could allow migratory movements of fish and provide some protection for A. iberus. The fish community was monitored prior to, and for three years after rehabilitation. Results showed an increase in the number of fish species within semi-isolated areas (Zone A), relative to connected areas (Zone B), while at the assemblage level, structural differences between zones were higher than interannual variability. GLMs evidenced that distance to the sea was the most important variable explaining the local diversity of the fish community after restoration, with occasional influence of other factors such as temperature, and depth. The abundance of A. iberus was consistently higher in semi-isolated areas at greater distances from the sea, but a decline occurred in both zones and in isolated reservoir ponds after restoration efforts, which may be attributable to dispersal to adjacent habitats, and to interannual differences in recruitment success. A negative effect of restoration works on fish population cannot be excluded, but the final outcome of the intervention likely needs a longer period .

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