Detailed project information for Study Plan Number 02057

Branch :	Aquatic Ecology Branch
Study Plan Number :	02057
Study Title :	Impacts of exotic fish on the distribution of native unionid fish hosts in the eastern U.S.
Starting Date :	04/01/1998
Completion Date :	09/30/2002
Principal Investigator(s) :	Lellis, Bill; Campbell, Cara
Primary PI :	Young, John A.
Telephone Number :	(570) 724-3322 x240
Email Address :	lelliswm@usgs.gov
SIS Number :	5002830
Primary Program Element :	Invasive Species
Second Program Element :	Fish and Aquatic Habitats
Status :	Completed
Abstract :	Freshwater mussels (unionids) are among the most threatened animals in North America with over 70% of the 297 recognized taxa considered unstable and declining (Williams et al. 1993). Conservation and management of unionids is complicated by the reproductive link between the mussels and specific fish hosts required for metamorphosis of mussel larvae. Unlike unionids of the Great Lakes and Ohio River drainages, native mussels along the Atlantic seaboard face their greatest threat not from infestation with zebra mussels but from loss of habitat and appropriate fish hosts. The introduction of exotic and non-native fishes has become a global problem; in the United States over 144 non-native and exotic species have become established (Courtenay et al. 1985; Ross 1986). In many cases these exotics have caused declines or extirpation of native fishes through habitat alteration, predation, competition and/or other factors (Taylor et al. 1984).
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