Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
12-2010
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Department
Biology
Committee Chair
Pearson, William D.
Author's Keywords
Elliptio crassidens; Conservation; Freshwater mussel; Fish host; Blue River; Indiana; Skipjack herring
Subject
Freshwater mussels--Ecology; Freshwater mussels--Blue River (Ind.)
Abstract
This study assessed life history components for the elephantear freshwater mussel, Elliptio crassidens (Lamarck, 1819). The main focus of this study was to determine the suitability of various fish species as a host for E. crassidens and to determine the population status in terms of age structure, recruitment and reproduction of E. crassidens from the Blue River drainage of south-central Indiana. General observations on the life history of E. crassidens were made: brooding conditions for release of larvae, larval behavior, and larval shell dimensions. Ages of E. crassidens shells from the Blue River were also determined. A Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis compared overlap in distribution between E. crassidens and potential fish hosts. This analysis demonstrated that percentage overlap between the ranges of E. crassidens and potential fish hosts was not a sound indicator of host fish suitability. However, several potential host species were identified and others were eliminated from consideration.
Recommended Citation
Hauswald, Cassandra L. 1975-, "Life history and convervation of Elliptio crassidens from the Blue River, Indiana." (2010). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 586.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/586
