HR: 14:15h
AN: NB43C-04    [Abstracts]
TI: Evaluation of Freshwater Mussel (Mollusca: Unionoidea) Fitness Pre- and Post- Relocation Efforts
AU: * McIntyre, H E
EM: hmcintyre@astate.edu
AF: Environmental Sciences Program, Arkansas State University, P.O. Box 847, State University, AR 72467
AU: Farris, J L
EM: jlfarris@astate.edu
AF: Environmental Sciences Program, Arkansas State University, P.O. Box 847, State University, AR 72467
AU: Farris, J L
EM: jlfarris@astate.edu
AF: Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, P.O. Box 599, State University, AR 72467
AU: Christian, A D
EM: achristian@astate.edu
AF: Environmental Sciences Program, Arkansas State University, P.O. Box 847, State University, AR 72467
AU: Christian, A D
EM: achristian@astate.edu
AF: Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, P.O. Box 599, State University, AR 72467
AB: Freshwater mussels are often displaced by human activities. Construction of bridges that offer potential impact to large numbers mussels often results in a relocation strategy to minimize loss. While this may reduce mortality, the metabolic consequences of relocation have not been evaluated. In this study we measured glycogen and lipid concentrations and RNA to DNA ratios to determine fitness impairments on relocated mussels. We hypothesize that organisms subjected to continuous stress should first use stored glycogen, followed by growth cessation measured as a reduction of RNA in relation to the DNA present, and finally a mobilization of tissue lipids, measured as a decrease in tissue lipid concentrations. We collected mantle snips from three surrogate species of mussels from four sites on the White River in eastern Arkansas during late summer, to establish expected glycogen, lipid, and RNA:DNA levels. Mean tissue lipids concentrations (μg/g) were 63.09, 67.96, and 50.46 for Quadrula quadrula, Q. pustulosa and Obliquaria reflexa, respectively. Mean tissue glycogen concentrations (μg/g) were 346.66, 592.26, and 336.58 for Q. quadrula, Q. pustulosa, and O. reflexa, respectively. This study can provide response information on relocated individuals as well as provide estimation of sufficient time required for mussel adaptation to novel environments.
DE: 1803 Anthropogenic effects
SC: North American Benthological Society [NB]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly