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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbus, Ohio » Soil Drainage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #332566
Title: Comparison of freshwater mussel communities from 1988 to 2015 in the Cedar Creek Watershed, Indiana

Author
item TAYLOR, ASHLEY - Indiana University-Purdue University
item GILLESPIE, ROBERT - Indiana University-Purdue University
item Smiley, Peter - Rocky

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/13/2016
Publication Date: 3/26/2016
Citation: Taylor, A.D., Gillespie, R.B., Smiley, P.C. 2016. Comparison of freshwater mussel communities from 1988 to 2015 in the Cedar Creek Watershed, Indiana. Meeting Abstract. 2016 Indiana Academy of Sciences Meeting, March 25 to March 26, 2016, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Out of the 300 genera of freshwater mussels (Unionidae) represented in North America, most species have shown declines in abundance and distribution largely due to human-mediated factors. This study compares current community composition, abundance and richness of mussels in Cedar Creek, Indiana with those in 1988 and 2005. In 2015, five sites in Cedar Creek and seven sites in agricultural tributaries were surveyed. Additionally, one headwater stream in Hillsdale County, MI was surveyed as a high-quality reference site. At each site, mussel surveys were performed using a combination of quadrat excavations (sixteen per site) and visual searches within a 200 meter stretch. From each quadrat, a quart of sediment was retained for sieve analysis. Physicochemical measurements, habitat analyses, and water quality data were collected concurrently with surveys. Fish communities were sampled using electrofishing to determine the presence of host species. Out of thirteen sites sampled, only six had live mussels. A total of ten species and 84 individuals were identified and measured. The reference and two Cedar Creek sites comprised almost 90% of the individuals found, with the furthest upstream Cedar Creek site having the greatest abundance (28). Only two agricultural ditch sites, close to the main stem of Cedar Creek had mussels, totaling six individuals. Lampsilis siliquoidea, found at four sites, was the most abundant and widespread species comprising 31% of the individuals found. Combined live mussel abundance at four Cedar Creek main stem sites showed a progressive decline from 168 to 110 to 56 individuals in 1988, 2005, and 2015 respectively. Additionally, since 1988, no live mussels have been recorded in Cedar Creek between Waterloo and Auburn, Indiana. To assess possible causes of declines, we will correlate instream habitat, physicochemical, and water quality variables with mussel abundance and richness.