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Sep 17, 2023 90 likes •242 views

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,

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Texas Freshwater Mussels Update – Data Needs

Matt Johnson Austin TX ESFO Matthew_S_Johnson@fws.gov

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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.

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Texas Mussel Data Needs – Site Selection

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New sites – Don’t rehash old surveys unless there is a specific reason to do so

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New streams – Look in major tributaries that my have historically been occupied but we have no modern data

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General site descriptions

 Lat/Long for upstream,

downstream, and/or center

 Provide site delineation

information

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Survey Effort Information

 CPUE info - # of samplers,

sampling time, etc.

 Survey type – Snorkeling, SCUBA,

etc.

Mussels of Texas Texas A&M University

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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

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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!

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Questions?

Matt Johnson Austin TX ESFO Matthew_S_Johnson@fws.gov