PARENT SESSION
Tuesday, August 8, 5:00-6:30 pm
Poster Session 8 - Aquatic ecology
Exhibit Hall, Ballroom Level, Cook Convention Center
Predation on freshwater mussels: species and size selection.
Lawson, Raven*,1, Matthews, Mickey1, Usrey, Faron2, Hodges, Shawn2, Christian, Alan1, 1 Arkansas State University, State University, AR, US2 Buffalo National River, Harrison, AR, US
ABSTRACT- Predation on freshwater mussels has been hypothesized to be selective for both species and size. The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between species and sizes of the individuals represented in the middens to those found in the adjacent mussel aggregate. This study was conducted by periodically collecting middens from one mussel aggregate on the Buffalo River, Arkansas near the Calf Creek confluence. Aggregates were quantitatively sampled in June 2005, and middens were collected at the time of quantitative sampling and periodically afterwards. Live and midden mussels were identified and sorted by species and measured for length, width, and depth. Results indicate a species-specific selection for the first two of three sampling periods. Eventhough, the most abundant species in the aggregate was Ptychobranchis occidentalis, it was second to Lampsilis reeveiana in the middens. In fact, Fusconia ozarkensis and Cyclonias tuburculata also were in higher abundance in the aggregates than L. reeveiana. Further analysis of data has shown that species-specific size selection is occurring among certain species. By conducting this correlation we hope to be able to determine if certain species and cohorts are more susceptible to predation on the Buffalo River.
Key words: Mussel Aggregates, Mussels, Predation