Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The effect of invasive macrophytes and water level fluctuations on unionids in Texas impoundments

  • Primary Research Paper
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effects of invasive macrophytes, water level fluctuations and predation on freshwater unionids Pyganodon grandis and Utterbackia imbecillis were studied in three small impoundments in Northeastern Texas in 2003–2005. Mussel density was sampled with quadrats. Mortality, associated with the water level fluctuations and predation, was estimated by collecting dead shells on the shore at about two month intervals. In two ponds, horizontal distribution of unionids was limited by dense beds of invasive and noxious macrophytes (mainly Eurasian watermilfoil Myriophyllum spicatum and American lotus Nelumbo lutea): mussel densities were significantly lower in these macrophyte beds (P < 0.001). In the third pond with the lowest density of macrophytes (stonewort Chara sp.), unionids were distributed more evenly, and the average unionid biomass was the highest among all ponds studied. Vertical distribution of unionids in all ponds was likely limited by low oxygen at depth >2 m. The total amount of shells found on the shore per year varied from 0.1% to 28% of the total population in the pond and was negatively correlated with water level (r = −0.72 to −0.81, P < 0.005). Mammalian predators consumed up to 19% of the total unionid population and predation was facilitated by water level fluctuations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anthony, J. L., D. H. Kesler, W. L. Downing & J. A. Downing, 2001. Length-specific growth rate in freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae): extreme longevity or generalized growth season? Freshwater Biology 46: 1349–1359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bauer, G., 2000. Factors affecting naiad occurrence and abundance. In Bauer, G. & K. Wachter (eds), Ecology and Evolution of the Freshwater Mussels Unionoidea, Ecological Studies, Vol. 145. Springler-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 155–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baxter, R. M. 1977. Environmental effects of dams and impoundments. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 8: 255–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blinn, D. W., J. P. Shannon, L. E. Stevens & J. P. Carder, 1995. Consequences of fluctuating discharge for lotic communities. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 14: 233–248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bogan, A. E., 1993. Freshwater bivalve extinctions (Mollusca: Unionoida): a search for causes. American Zoologist 33: 599–609.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burlakova, L. E., A. Y. Karatayev & D. K. Padilla, 2000. The impact of Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas) invasion on unionid bivalves. International Review of Hydrobiology 85: 529–541.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byrne, R. A. & R. F. McMahon, 1994. Behavioral and physiological responses to emersion in fresh water bivalves. American Zoologist 34: 194–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caraco, N. F. & J. Cole, 2002. Contrasting impacts of a native and alien macrophyte on dissolved oxygen in a large river. Ecological Applications 12: 1496–1504.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Convey, L. E., J. M. Hanson & W. M. Mackay, 1989. Size-selective predation on unionid clams by muskrats. Journal of Wildlife Management 53: 654–657.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cvancara, A. M., 1972. Lake mussel distribution as determined with SCUBA. Ecology 53: 154–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Downing, J. A., H. Van Leeuwen & L. A. Di Paolo, 2000. Substratum patch selection in the lacustrine mussels Elliptio complanata and Pyganodon grandis grandis. Freshwater Biology 44: 641–648.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, J. M., 1977. Some Methods for the Statistical Analysis of Samples of Benthic Invertebrates. Freshwater Biological Association, Ambleside, Cumbria, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, M. M., 1936. Erosion silt as a factor in aquatic environments. Ecology 17: 29–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, G. H. & J. H. Halton, 1951. Note on an exact treatment of contingency, goodness of fit and other problems of significance. Biometrika 38: 141–149.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghent, A. W., R. Singer & L. Johnson-Singer, 1978. Depth distributions determined with SCUBA, and associated studies of the freshwater clams Elliptio complanata and Pyganodon grandis in Lake Bernard, Ontario. Canadian Journal of Zoology 56: 1654–1663.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green, R. H. 1980. Role of a unionid clam population in the calcium budget of a small arctic lake. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 37: 219–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, T. F. & W. T. Penfound, 1944. The biology of the American lotus, Nelumbo lutea (Willd.) Pers. American Midland Naturalist 31: 744–758.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, J. M., W. C. Mackay & E. E. Prepas, 1988. The effects of water depth and density on the growth of a unionid clam. Freshwater Biology 19: 345–355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, J. M., W. C. Mackay & E. E. Prepas, 1989. Effect of size-selective predation by muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) on a population of unionid clams (Anodonta grandis simpsoniana). Journal of Animal Ecology 58: 15–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Halstead, B. G. & J. C. Tash, 1982. Unusual diel pHs in water as related to aquatic vegetation. Hydrobiologia 96: 217–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Havel, J. E., C. E. Lee & J. M. Vander Zanden, 2005. Do reservoirs facilitate invasions into landscapes? BioScience 55: 518–525.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howells, R. G., C. M. Mather & J. A. M. Bergmann, 2000. Impacts of dewatering and cold on freshwater mussels (Unionidae) in B. A. Steinhagen Reservoir, Texas. Texas Journal of Science 52: 93–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huehner, M. K., 1987. Field and laboratory determination of substrate preferences of unionid mussels. Ohio Journal of Science, 87: 29–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karatayev, A. Y., L. E. Burlakova, T. Kesterton & D. K. Padilla, 2003. Dominance of the Asiatic clam, Corbicula fluminea (Müller) in the benthic community of a reservoir. Journal of Shellfish Research 22: 487–493.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krebs, C. J., 1999. Ecological Methodology (2nd edn.). Addison Wesley Longman, Inc., Reading, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manly, B., 1992. The Design and Analysis of Research Studies. Cambridge University Press.

  • McMahon, R. F. & A. E. Bogan, 2001. Mollusca: Bivalvia. In Thorp, J. H. & A. P. Covich (eds), Ecology and Classification of North American Freshwater Invertebrates (2nd edn.). Academic Press, Inc., 331–430.

  • Miller, A. C., L. Rhodes & R. Tipit, 1984. Changes in the naiad fauna of the Cumberland River below Lake Cumberland in Central Kentucky. Nautilus 98: 107–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohseni, O., H. G. Stefan, D. Wright & G. J. Johnson, 2001. Dissolved oxygen depletion in a small deep lake with a large littoral zone. Lake and Reservoir Management 17: 288–298.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Myers, J. H., 1978. Selecting a measure of dispersion. Environmental Entomology 7: 619–621.

    Google Scholar 

  • Negus, C. L., 1966. A quantitative study of growth and production of unionid mussels in the River Thames at Reading. Journal of Animal Ecology 35: 513–532.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neves, R. J. & M. C. Odom, 1989. Muskrat predation on endangered freshwater mussels in Virginia. Journal of Wildlife Management 53: 934–941.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricciardi, A., F. G. Whoriskey & J. B. Rasmussen, 1996. Impact of the Dreissena invasion on native unionid bivalves in the upper St. Lawrence River. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 53: 1434–1444.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rice, W. R., 1989. Analyzing tables of statistical tests. Evolution 43: 223–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, S. M., M. J. Hanson & A. Locke, 2002. Effects of impoundment and water-level fluctuations on macrophyte and macroinvertebrate communities of a dammed tidal river. Aquatic Ecology 36: 493–510.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richter, B. D., D. P. Braun, M. A. Mendelson & L. L. Master, 1997. Threats to imperiled freshwater fauna. Conservation Biology 11: 1081–1093.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, J. A., 1981. The American lotus – Nelumbo lutea (Willd.) Pers. Aquatics 3: 4–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Samad, F. & J. G. Stanley, 1986. Loss of freshwater shellfish after water drawdown in Lake Sebasticook, Maine. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 3: 519–523.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sebestyen, O., 1937. Colonization of two new fauna-elements of Pontus-origin (Dreissena polymorpha Pall. and Corophium curvispinum G. O. Sars forma devium Wundsch) in Lake Balaton. Proceedings. International Association of Theoretical and Applied Limnology 8: 169–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schloesser, D. W., T. F. Nalepa & G. L. Mackie, 1996. Zebra mussel infestation of unionid bivalves (Unionidae) in North America. American Zoologist 36: 300–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steyermark, J. A., 1963. Flora of Missouri. The Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stone, N. M., R. Earll, A. Hodgson, J. G. Mather, J. Parker & F. R. Woodward, 1982. The distributions of three sympatric mussel species (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in budworth Mere, Cheshire. Journal of Molluscan Studies 48: 266–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strayer, D. L., 1999. Effects of alien species on freshwater mollusks in North America. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 18: 74–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strayer, D. L., J. A. Downing, W. R. Haag, T. L. King, J. B. Layzer, T. J. Newton & S. J. Nichols, 2004. Changing perspectives on pearly mussels, North America’s most imperiled animals. BioScience 54: 429–439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toweill, D. E., 1974. Winter food habits of river otters in western Oregon. Journal of Wildlife Management 38: 107–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tyrrell, M. & D. J. Hornbach, 1998. Selective small mammal predation on freshwater mussels in two Minnesota rivers. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 17: 301–310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Unmuth, J. M. L., R. A. Lillie, D. S. Dieikosen & D. W. Marshall, 2000. Influence of dense growth of Eurasian water-milfoil on lake water temperature and dissolved oxygen. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 15: 497–503.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaughn, C. C. & C. M. Taylor, 1999. Impoundments and the decline of freshwater mussels: a case study of an extinction gradient. Conservation Biology 13: 912–920.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vaughn, C. C. & C. C. Hakenkamp, 2001. The functional role of burrowing bivalves in freshwater ecosysytems. Freshwater Biology 46: 1431–1446.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watters, T. G., 2000. Freshwater mussels and water quality: a review of the effects of hydrologic and instream habitat alterations. Proceedings of the First Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society Symposium. Ohio Biological Survey.

  • Williams, J. D., M. L. Warren Jr., K. S. Cummings, J. L. Harris & R. J. Neves, 1993. Conservation status of freshwater mussels of the United States and Canada. Fisheries (Bethesda) 18: 6–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, D. S., 1979. The effect of lake-level fluctuation on Corbicula and other pelecypods in Lake Texoma, Texas and Oklahoma. In Britton, J. C. (ed.), Proceedings, First International Corbicula Symposium, Texas Christian University Research Foundation, Forth Worth, Texas, 82–88.

  • Zar J. H., 1996. Biostatistical Analysis (3rd edn.). Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The research was supported by grant # 434210 “Monitoring of Unionid Populations at Texas Army National Guard (TXARNG) Facility Camp Maxey, Lamar County, Texas” from Texas Army National Guard to AYK and LEB. We would like to thank Dmitry and Vadim Karatayev, and graduate students of the Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU) Olga Minich and Daniel Bennett for their help during sampling. We thank Dr. James Vankley (SFASU) for identification of M. spicatum, Drs. William W. Gibson, William B. Godwin (SFASU), and reviewers for their valuable comments on the manuscript. We appreciate the help and support of Camp Maxey staff and Dr. Dawn Johnson (TXARNG) throughout the study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Stephen F. Austin State University, SFA Station, P.O. Box 13003, Nacogdoches, TX, 75962-3003, USA

    Lyubov E. Burlakova & Alexander Y. Karatayev

Authors
  1. Lyubov E. Burlakova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alexander Y. Karatayev
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lyubov E. Burlakova.

Additional information

Handling editor: K. Martens

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Burlakova, L.E., Karatayev, A.Y. The effect of invasive macrophytes and water level fluctuations on unionids in Texas impoundments. Hydrobiologia 586, 291–302 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-0699-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-0699-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation