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Upper Thermal Tolerances Of Early Life Stages Of Freshwater Mussels, Tamara J. Pandolfo, W. Gregory Cope, Consuelo Arellano, Robert B. Bringolf, M. Christopher Barnhart
Upper Thermal Tolerances Of Early Life Stages Of Freshwater Mussels, Tamara J. Pandolfo, W. Gregory Cope, Consuelo Arellano, Robert B. Bringolf, M. Christopher Barnhart
College of Natural and Applied Sciences
Freshwater mussels (order Unioniformes) fulfill an essential role in benthic aquatic communities, but also are among the most sensitive and rapidly declining faunal groups in North America. Rising water temperatures, caused by global climate change, industrial discharges, drought, or land development, could further challenge imperiled unionid communities. The aim of our study was to determine the upper thermal tolerances of the larval (glochidia) and juvenile life stages of freshwater mussels. Glochidia of 8 species of mussels were tested: Lampsilis siliquoidea, Potamilus alatus, Ligumia recta, Ellipsaria lineolata, Lasmigona complanata, Megalonaias nervosa, Alasmidonta varicosa, and Villosa delumbis. Seven of these species also …