Update Data Needs Matt Johnson Austin TX ESFO - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Texas Freshwater Mussels Update – Data Needs Matt Johnson Austin TX ESFO Matthew_S_Johnson@fws.gov

Introduction  B.S. and M.S. Virginia Tech  Texas A&M University Natural Resources Institute  Consulting stops in Virginia, Tennessee, and Texas  Completed several hundred mussel surveys and habitat assessments in 14 States and the Seneca Nation of Indians in southwest New York in streams ranging from 4-ft wide creeks to large rivers like the Kanawha, Arkansas, and Ohio Rivers.  Propagated juveniles of common and federal/state- listed mussel species for augmentation and reintroduction projects in Virginia and Tennessee.  Completed wetland and stream delineations, 404/401 wetland permitting, stream and wetland mitigation bank monitoring, rare plant surveys, herpetological surveys, and bald eagle and other avian surveys.

Texas Mussel Data Needs – Site Selection New sites – Don’t rehash old surveys  unless there is a specific reason to do so New streams – Look in major  tributaries that my have historically been occupied but we have no modern data General site descriptions   Lat/Long for upstream, downstream, and/or center  Provide site delineation information Survey Effort Information   CPUE info - # of samplers, sampling time, etc.  Survey type – Snorkeling, SCUBA, etc. Mussels of Texas Texas A&M University

Texas Mussel Data Needs – Mussel Data  Species observed – Live, fresh-dead, old shell, sub-fossil  Mussel counts – Total and by species  Length measurements of the first 50 mussels of each species  Help to assess size-class structure and recruitment  Where mussels are collected – if applicable  Gravidity – if trained  Representative photos of all species observed and “oddball” individuals  Genetic testing for LA Pigtoe species when appropriate

Texas Mussel Data Needs – Habitat Data  Substrate composition (percentages) – Wentworth Scale  Note if substrate is noticeably different around certain species  Qualitative assessment of substrate stability  Stream depth  Visibility  Water temperature  Notable instream or site-adjacent features  Channel alterations, impoundments, scour holes, etc.  Photos, photos, photos!

Questions? Matt Johnson Austin TX ESFO Matthew_S_Johnson@fws.gov