Freshwater Mussel Propagation for Restoration

A practical, step-by-step guide to rearing freshwater mussels, one of the most imperiled groups of animals in the world.

Matthew A. Patterson (Author), Rachel A. Mair (Author), Nathan L. Eckert (Author), Catherine M. Gatenby (Author), Tony Brady (Author), Jess W. Jones (Author), Bryan R. Simmons (Author), Julie L. Devers (Author)

9781108445313, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 22 February 2018

334 pages, 229 b/w illus. 8 tables
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.58 kg

'Freshwater Mussel Propagation for Restoration … is an instructive manuscript on mussel propagation to abate threatened and endangered species or manage population density using a detailed plan for freshwater mussel culture. The images and figures in the book are excellent quality and give the reader thorough text and imagery. [The authors] have choreographed a must have tool, for freshwater mussel biologists and culturists, that details freshwater mussel ecology, life history, biology, husbandry, and most importantly sustainability.' Matthew Wipf, American Fisheries Society

Freshwater mussels are declining rapidly worldwide. Propagation has the potential to restore numbers of these remarkable organisms, preventing extinction of rare species and maintaining the many benefits that they bring to aquatic ecosystems. Written by practitioners with firsthand experience of propagation programs, this practical book is a thorough guide to the subject, taking readers through the process from start to finish. The latest propagation and culture techniques are explored as readers follow freshwater mussels through their amazing and complex life cycle. Topics covered include the basics of building a culture facility, collecting and maintaining brood stock, collecting host species, infesting host species with larval mussels, collecting and culturing juvenile mussels, releasing juveniles to the wild, and post-release monitoring. This will be valuable reading for any biologist interested in the conservation of freshwater mussel populations.

Forward Chris Barnhart
Acknowledgements
Note from the authors
1. Why propagate freshwater mussels? Matthew A. Patterson, Jess W. Jones and Catherine M. Gatenby
2. Biology of freshwater mussels Matthew A. Patterson
3. Host species identification, acquisition and captive care Tony Brady and Catherine M. Gatenby
4. Brood stock collection, transportation and captive care Julie L. Devers and Matthew A. Patterson
5. Larval metamorphosis and juvenile mussel collection Nathan Eckert
6. Juvenile mussel culture Rachel Mair
7. Juvenile mussel release and monitoring Bryan R. Simmons, Matthew A. Patterson and Jess W. Jones
8. Building a freshwater mussel propagation facility Catherine M. Gatenby and Nathan Eckert
Appendix A. Genoa National Fish Hatchery fish infestation monitoring form
Appendix B. Genoa National Fish Hatchery juvenile mussel monitoring form
Appendix C. Genoa National Fish Hatchery datasheet for brood stock check-in
Appendix D. Freshwater mussel propagation facilities in the United States
Appendix E. Algae culture for freshwater mussel propagation. A companion manual to the online video tutorial
Glossary
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Fishes & aquaria [WNGF], Freshwater life [WNCS2], Wildlife: aquatic creatures [WNCS], Aquaculture & fish-farming: practice & techniques [TVT], Conservation of wildlife & habitats [RNKH], Limnology [freshwater RBKF], Zoology: Invertebrates [PSVT], Marine biology [PSPM], Freshwater biology [PSPF]