Estimating survival and recruitment in a freshwater mussel population using mark-recapture techniques

American Midland Naturalist
By: , and 

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Abstract

We used a mark-recapture method and model averaging to estimate apparent survival, recruitment and rate of population growth in a native freshwater mussel population at a site on the Cacapon River, which is a tributary to the Potomac River. Over 2200 Elliptio complanata, E. fisheriana and Lampsilis cariosa were uniquely tagged over a period of 4 y. Recapture probabilities were higher in spring and summer than in winter except for L. cariosa which had a low probability of recapture regardless of time of year. All three species had high annual adult survival rates (>90%) with lower estimated survival of small (55 mm) mussels (43%-69%). The variation in apparent survival over time was similar for all three species. This suggests that whatever environmental variables affect survival of mussels in this site affected all three species the same. Recruitment rates were low (1-4%) for both E. complanata and L. cariosa, with E. fisheriana having several periods of high (15-23%) recruitment. Distribution within the site was affected by both downstream and upstream movement, though movement rates were generally <1%. Average population growth rates for E. complanata ((λ = 0.996, se = 0.053), L. cariosa (λ = 0.993, se = 0.076) and E. fisheriana (λ = 1.084, se = 0.276) indicated static populations. Population growth rate approximating 1.0 suggests this site supports a stable freshwater mussel population through a life history strategy of low but constant recruitment and high annual adult survival.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Estimating survival and recruitment in a freshwater mussel population using mark-recapture techniques
Series title American Midland Naturalist
DOI 10.1674/0003-0031(2004)151[0114:ESARIA]2.0.CO;2
Volume 151
Issue 1
Year Published 2004
Language English
Publisher BioOne Complete
Description 20 p.
First page 114
Last page 133
Country United States
State West Virginia
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