Biology and Ecology of the Threatened Inflated Heelsplitter Mussel, Potamilusinflatus, in the Black Warrior and Tombigbee Rivers, Alabama, June 1994

摘要

The biology and ecology of the inflated heelsplitter mussel (Potarnilusinflatus), listed as threatened, was studied at dredged material disposal areas, adjacent areas unaffected by disposal, and two stable gravel bars on the Black Warrior and Tombigbee (BWT) rivers in July 1994. Objectives were to (a) determine density, size, and age of P. inflatus in silt/sand substratum at areas affected and unaffected by disposal of dredged material; (b) determine density, size, and age of P. inflatus at high-quality, stable gravel bars never affected by dredging; (c) collect data on water depth, velocity, and substratum type where P. inflatus was found; and (d) examine the ability of P. inflatus to rebury after being dislodged from the substratum and to extricate itself after being buried in sand. Mean density (individuals/square meter, i standard error of the mean) of P. inflatus at a gravel bar immediately downriver of Demopolis Lock and Dam (0.3, iO.17) was substantially greater than density in fine-grained sediments unaffected by dredged material disposal (0.0097, iO.0029) or in disposal areas used in 1993 (0.005, iO.0015). Recently used disposal areas supported large and small mussels, indicating that this species populates these areas through natural recruitment and dispersal by high water.