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Long-Term Decline In Freshwater Mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) Of The Western Basin Of Lake Erie, Thomas F. Nalepa, Bruce A. Manny, James C. Roth, Samuel C. Mozley, Donald W. Schloesser

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

Long-term trends in the abundance of unionids in the western basin of Lake Erie were examined from data collected at 17 stations in 1961, 1972, and 1982. The mean number of unionids at these stations declined over this time period, decreasing from 10 m^-2 in 1961, to 6 m^-2 in 1972, down to 4 m^-2 in 1982. This decline in abundance was reflected in the decrease in the number of stations where mussels were found; unionids were found at 16 of the 17 stations in 1961, but at only 6 stations in 1982. Reasons for the decrease …