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Short-term breeding: releasing post-parasitic juvenile Margaritifera into ideal small-scale receptor sites: a new technique for the augmentation of declining populations

  • FRESHWATER BIVALVES
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Abstract

The aim of this research was to assess the potential for augmentation of freshwater pearl mussel populations Margaritifera margaritifera through short-term captive breeding to early juvenile stage and thus avoiding the growing-on stage of juveniles in captivity, which can have a high mortality rate. Fish encysted with Margaritifera glochidia were transferred to a tank lined with a thin layer of river gravels. Juvenile mussels were left to drop-down into these gravels and were then transferred, with the gravels, into suitable habitat in their native river. Redox potential measurements and near bed flow velocities were measured in the tops and tails of riffles to determine the best potential areas to transfer the juveniles. Following a year in the wild, juvenile mussels were found to be living in the areas in which they had been placed. This technique is recommended for rivers with populations of Margaritifera that have lost habitat quality, but where preferential flows maintain some areas that are still capable of juvenile survival.

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Acknowledgements

This project was funded by the Department of Arts, Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Ireland. Jim Ryan, Áine O’Connor, Liz Sides and Richard O’Callaghan from National Parks and Wildlife Service all gave valuable assistance on site and in discussions. The receptor site work was undertaken with Ian Killeen whose experience was invaluable. Donal Golden’s incomparable experience with fish rearing is gratefully acknowledged. He designed and implemented all construction and ongoing maintenance and upgraded the tank design for the juvenile receptor tanks. Mick Mullally assisted with construction on site. Many thanks are given to Luke Leonard and the Leonard family at the hatchery. This work was carried out under all the required licences from the Department of Arts, Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food and South Tipperary County Council.

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  1. Trinity College, University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland

    Evelyn Ann Moorkens

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  1. Evelyn Ann Moorkens
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Correspondence to Evelyn Ann Moorkens.

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Guest editors: Manuel P. M. Lopes-Lima, Ronaldo G. Sousa, Lyuba E. Burlakova, Alexander Y. Karatayev & Knut Mehler / Ecology and Conservation of Freshwater Bivalves

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Moorkens, E.A. Short-term breeding: releasing post-parasitic juvenile Margaritifera into ideal small-scale receptor sites: a new technique for the augmentation of declining populations. Hydrobiologia 810, 145–155 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-017-3138-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-017-3138-y

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