Clubshell Mussel- Endangered Species

December 17, 2008

Clubshell Mussel By: Shannon Carpenter

Endangered Species

Clubshell Mussel Information Distinguishing Characteristics of the phyla and class The phylum of the Clubshell Mussel is Mollusca. Some characteristics of this phyla is a broad, muscular foot to move with, at least two pairs of main nerve cords and three in bivalves, and a dorsal concentration of internal organs (visceral mass). The class of the Clubshell Mussel is Bivalvia, also known as Pelecypoda. Some characteristics of this class are that they are filter feeders instead of using a radula to obtain food and they have open circulatory systems.

Close Relatives Close relatives in the same phylum as the Clubshell Mussel are squids, cuttlefish, octopuses, snails, and slugs. Close relatives in the same class are clams, scallops, oysters, and of course other species of mussels.

Locations on Earth Clubshell Mussels have been found in the East Fork and mainstream of the Tombigbee River and occasionally from the Big Black River in Mississippi. This species is mostly located in the United States.

Habitat Freshwater mussels inhabit lakes, rivers, canals, and streams. These species of mussels prefer clean, loose sand and gravel in small to medium streams and rivers. This mussel will bury itself in the bottom to depths of up to four inches.

Position in the Food Chain Both marine and freshwater mussels are filter feeders. They eat plankton and free-floating microscopic creatures. They themselves are eaten by otters, raccoons, and by some species ducks and geese.

picture by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Classification of the Clubshell Mussel Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Bivalvia Order: Unionoida Family: Unionidae

picture by the Allegheny Front Environmental Radio for Western Pennsylvania

December 17, 2008

Clubshell Mussel Information continued... picture by University of Michigan Museum of Zoology Animal Diversity Web

Reasons for Endangerment The Clubshell was once found from Michigan to Alabama, and from Illinois to West Virginia. Now extinct from Alabama, Illinois and Tennessee, it occurs today in portions of only 12 streams. Reasons for its decline in the upper Ohio and Wabasha watersheds have been due to extensive impoundments for navigation.

Laws Protecting Species

Reproduction Mussels reproduce sexually because there are both male and female mussels. Sperm is released into the water where it then enters the female via incurrent siphon. After fertilization, the egg goes into the glochidia stage where it then attaches to the gills of the female or the gills of fish as parasites.

The 1973 Endangered Species Act replaced earlier laws enacted in 1966 and 1969 that proved insufficient to protect endangered wildlife. Congress enacted the law to protect endangered and threatened species, to conserve their ecosystems, and to promote their recovery. Recovery of the Clubshell would require construction of sediment basins and selective dredging to limit siltation.

Interesting Information Some interesting information on the Clubshell mussel is that it can live up to 50 years old. As well as that, it was listed on the endangered species list in 1993.

picture by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mollusc http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bivalvia http://dromus.nhm.uga.edu/~GMNH/gawildlife/index.php?page=speciespages/ai_species _page&key=pdecisum http://www.fws.gov/Midwest/Endangered/clams/clubs_fc.html http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Da-En/Endangered-Species-Act.html http://www.alleghenyfront.org/img/contrib/northernriffleshell.gif http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/clams/clubs_fc.html http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/esday/ OHclubshellRiffleshell.htmlR http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/resources/Michigan_mussels/index_0030.html

http://www.fws.gov/Midwest/Endangered/clams/ILmusselAugment.html