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Biology Theses

Unionidae

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Ground-Truthing Maxent In East Texas Rivers, David F. Ford May 2013

Ground-Truthing Maxent In East Texas Rivers, David F. Ford

Biology Theses

Unionid mussels are a guild of freshwater, sedentary filter-feeders, which play a critical role in freshwater systems. Mussels are currently experiencing a global decline in both species richness and abundance, due to invasive species, human alteration of water systems, and climate change. In North America, which is considered to have the highest global diversity of bivalve species, native mussels are currently declining rapidly with at least 37 species considered to already be extinct. If extant mussel species are to be preserved, then it is vital that conservation efforts be prioritized towards areas in which they are likely to be found. …


Influence Of Substrate And Hydraulic Variables On Habitat Preferences Of A Sculptured And An Unsculptured Freshwater Mussel, Daniel Goodding Apr 2012

Influence Of Substrate And Hydraulic Variables On Habitat Preferences Of A Sculptured And An Unsculptured Freshwater Mussel, Daniel Goodding

Biology Theses

Freshwater mussels of the family Unionidae in North America have been in decline for at least the past 150 years. Major causes behind the decline are thought to be related to alteration or loss of habitat. Recent efforts by researchers have focused on understanding habitat associations of mussels so that more effective conservation efforts can be applied. Recent studies have identified variables that limit mussel community distributions. These variables are a combination of substrate and hydraulic variables that are associated with substrate stability. Furthermore, recent studies have suggested mussel studies are most informative at larger spatial scales and at high …