A study of freshwater mussels (Pelecypoda: Unionidae), fish, and associated ecological factors in Lake Creek, Montgomery County, Texas
Date
1998-08
Authors
Ansley, Stephen P.
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Abstract
Approximately 216 of the 297 North American unionid species are extinct, rare, or imperiled. During the last 50 years, freshwater mussel populations throughout the continental United States have declined due to events such as drought, impoundments, sedimentation, dredging, channelization, water pollution, and commercial harvesting. These events have had a direct impact on available mussel habitat and reproductive activities. This study was conducted at 2 locations on Lake Creek, San Jacinto River Basin, Montgomery County, Texas. Characterization of habitat, fish and mussel communities, and water quality parameters are essential as baseline information to determine when changes have occurred, estimation of the resulting impact, and assist in predicting future impacts from human and natural disturbances. Additionally, the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of an area combined with the habitat requirements of aquatic organisms have a direct relationship to determining presence or absence of a given organism in that habitat. The objective of this study was to determine the abundance and diversity of unionid freshwater mussels at 2 locations on Lake Creek, Montgomery County, Texas and identify those environmental factors that may account for their presence, absence, diversity, and abundance.
Description
Keywords
Unionidae, Freshwater mussels, Lake Creek, Texas
Citation
Ansley, S. P. (1998). <i>A study of freshwater mussels (Pelecypoda: Unionidae), fish, and associated ecological factors in Lake Creek, Montgomery County, Texas</i> (Unpublished thesis). Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.