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The biodiversity of mussels

The biodiversity of mussels. Holly Baker and Jackie Means. Mussels. Mussels are one of the most endangered animals in Kentucky, with 14 endangered species and 7 already extinct species.

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The biodiversity of mussels

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  1. The biodiversity of mussels Holly Baker and Jackie Means

  2. Mussels Mussels are one of the most endangered animals in Kentucky, with 14 endangered species and 7 already extinct species. Mussels are fresh water clams that benefit all living creatures because they serve as natural filters for our water.

  3. Mussels continued • Mussels can live to be over 100 years old • Kentucky is home to more mussel species than any other place on earth • Mussels are the most imperiled of all organisms in North America and elsewhere around the world.

  4. History • Mussels (Pearly mussels) used to be abundant until… • Large fishery companies harvested these for • Pearly buttons • Food • Fresh water pearls for jewelry • By 1913, the mussel population was largely depleted • In fact, mussels account for 40% of all extinctions of animal species

  5. Reasons Mussels are Endangered Early 1900’s - Mussels being over-harvested

  6. Imperiled Species The creation of high dams which changes water flow has reduced the amount of quality mussel habitat. Habitat destruction, pollution, land-use change and introduction to exotic species such as the zebra mussel have caused a huge decline in numbers Bio-indicator species

  7. Aquaculture Labs Currently F & W “grow” 60 different mussel species and return adult mussels back to the wild “Growing” mussels in hatcheries is a new technique that promises to increase wild populations of these imperiled creatures

  8. Mussel Life Cycle Fish Host Juvenile Glochidia Adults/Parents

  9. THE BIZARRE LIFE CYCLE OF THE MUSSEL http://www.fws.gov/midwest/mussel/multimedia/life_cycle.html http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQGC4lyzrak

  10. What do they eat? • Mussels largely eat phytoplankton and algae • They also eat small animals, protozoan, and detritus. • Recent studies show that mussels eat bacteria and organic matter as well • Mussels also have the ability to use their foot to sweep edible material from the sediment Detritus

  11. The Pink Mucket • Lives in large rivers such as the Ohio. • Lures host fish such as bass by dangling a flap of skin that looks like a minnow. • One of 20 endangered or threatened Ohio River mussel species.

  12. Reasons why Endangered • Over-harvesting • Decline of host fish • Invasive zebra mussel • Damming of rivers causing changes in river flow • Decline in food sources because of less flow of water • Water pollution - http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120403/NEWS01/304030055/Ohio-River-tops-nation-pollution-discharges Zebra mussel

  13. A New Hope • Culturing the Pink Mucket in high-tech aquaculture labs • The Pink Mucket has shown up in parts of the river where it had been gone for 75 years.

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