Species of Greatest Conservation Need Species Accounts · 2 0 1 5 – 2 0 2 5 . Species of Greatest Conservation Need . Species Accounts . Appendix 1.4F-Mussels Freshwater Mussel

2 0 1 5 – 2 0 2 5

Species of Greatest Conservation Need Species Accounts

Appendix 1.4F-Mussels

Freshwater Mussel Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Maps: Physiographic Provinces and HUC Watersheds

Species Accounts (Click species name below or bookmark to navigate to species account)

FRESHWATER MUSSELSDwarf Wedgemussel Northern Riffleshell Snuffbox Eastern Pearlshell

Round Hickorynut Sheepnose Clubshell Rabbitsfoot

Pistolgrip

The following Physiographic Province and HUC Watershed maps are presented here for reference with conservation actions identified in the species accounts. Species account authors identified appropriate Physiographic Provinces or HUC Watershed (Level 4, 6, 8, 10, or statewide) for specific conservation actions to address identified threats. HUC watersheds used in this document were developed from the Watershed Boundary Dataset, a joint project of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

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Appalachian Plateaus

Ridge and Valley

Piedmont

Central Lowlands

AtlanticCoastal Plain

NewEngland

Appalachian Plateaus

Atlantic Coastal Plain

Central Lowlands

New England

Piedmont

Ridge and Valley

Physiographic Provinces

1080| Appendix 1.4 Mussels

Potomac

Allegheny

Lake Erie

Upper Susquehanna

Monongahela

Lower Susquehanna

Upper Delaware

Lower Delaware

Upper Ohio-Beaver

UpperChesapeake

West Branch Susquehanna

EasternLake Erie

SouthernLake Erie

SouthwesternLake Ontario

Susquehanna

Allegheny

Upper Ohio

Potomac

Delaware-Mid Atlantic Coastal

Monongahela

Upper Chesapeake

Pennsylvania HUC4 and HUC6 Watersheds

County BoundaryHUC 6 WatershedState BorderHUC 4 Watershed

0 50 100 150 20025Kilometers


Lake Erie

Tioga

Cheat

Pine

Schuylkill

Lehigh

French

Clarion

Upper Ohio

Upper Allegheny

Chemung

Youghiogheny

Lower Susquehanna

Mahoning

Conemaugh

UpperSusquehanna

Shenango

Lower Juniata

Raystown

Monocacy

UpperGenesee

Conococheague-Opequon

Conewango Upper Delaware

LowerMonongahela

Bald Eagle

LowerDelaware

Upper Juniata

Upper Ohio-Wheeling

Sinnemahoning

Gunpowder-Patapsco

Middle Allegheny-Tionesta

Lower Susquehanna-Swatara

Middle Allegheny-Redbank

UpperSusquehanna-Tunkhannock

Lower Susquehanna-Penns

Lackawaxen

UpperMonongahela Cacapon-

Town

Chester-SassafrasNorth

BranchPotomac

Lower WestBranch

Susquehanna

Upper Susquehanna-Lackawanna

Owego-Wappasening

Upper WestBranch Susquehanna

Connoquenessing

MiddleDelaware-

Musconetcong

MiddleDelaware-Mongaup-Brodhead

Kiskiminetas

Chautauqua-

Conneaut

Brandywine-Christina

LowerAllegheny

Crosswicks-Neshaminy

Middle WestBranch

Susquehanna

Beaver

Ashtabula-Chagrin

State BorderCountyHUC 6HUC 8

Pennsylvania HUC6 and HUC8 Watersheds

0 50 100 150 200Kilometers


Tioga River

Penns Creek

Kettle Creek

Lackawanna River

Bush Kill

Lower Pine CreekLycoming Creek

Middle Lehigh River

Sugar Creek

Fishing Creek

Bald Eagle Creek

Lower Susquehanna River

Mongaup River

Beech Creek

Middle Creek

Fishing Creek

Lower Lehigh River

Towanda Creek

Tunkhannock Creek

Cowanesque River

Lower Loyalsock Creek

Upper Pine Creek


Spring Creek

Little Pine Creek

Babb Creek

Nescopeck CreekBuffalo Creek

Mahanoy Creek

Broadhead Creek

Upper Lehigh River

Muncy Creek

Catawissa Creek

Crooked Creek

Pine Creek

Shamokin Creek

PoconoCreek

Middle Delaware River

Bowman Creek

Wysox CreekMill Creek

Mehoopany Creek

Honey Creek

Pohopoco Creek

Marsh Creek

Middle Creek

Roaring Creek

Upper Loyalsock Creek

Schrader Creek

Spruce Creek Upper Schuylkill River

Middle ChemungRiver

MiddleSusquehanna River

LowerChemung

River

Wyalusing Creek

Lower Delaware River

Lower WestBranch

SusquehannaRiver

UpperDelaware

River

UpperDelaware River

Tobyha

nna Cree

k

WallenpaupackCreek

LowerSusquehanna River

LarrysCreek

Lackawaxen River

WestBranch

SusquehannaRiver

OswayoCreek

UpperSusquehanna RiverHuntington

Creek

MiddleSusquehanna

River

West Branch

Susquehanna River

MeshoppenCreek

LowerWest Branch

Delaware River

Shahola Creek

ChillisquaqueCreek

Upper Susquehanna River

LittleSchuylkill

River

Pipe Creek-Susquehanna

River

HalfwayBrook-

DelawareRiver

Troups Creek

Cayuta Creek

Lower East Branch

Delaware River

DyberryCreek

Flat Brook-

Delaware R

iver

Cryder Creek-Genesee River

Raym

onds

kill Cr

eek-

Delaw

are Ri

ver

Little Muncy Creek

Aquashicola Creek

YoungWomans

Creek

LittleLoyalsock Creek

Wappasening Creek-Susquehanna River

Little

Fishin

g Cree

k

ChoconutCreek-

Susquehanna River

Upper WestBranch

SusquehannaRiver

HeadwatersGenesee River

West BranchPine Creek

White Deer

Hole Creek

West Branch

Lackawaxen RiverSouth Branch Tunkhannock

Creek

Bushkill Creek-

Delaware River

East Branch

Wyalusing Creek

East BranchTunkhannock

Creek

WestBranch

WallenpaupackCreek

Mahantango CreekJordan CreekMaiden Creek

First ForkSinnemahoning

Creek

HeadwatersAllegheny River

Pennsylvania HUC8 & HUC10 Watersheds, NE

0 25 50 75 100Kilometers

HUC 8

State BorderHUC 10


Penns Creek

Perkiomen Creek

Susquehanna River

Lower Lehigh River

Susquehanna RiverTuscarora Creek

Conestoga River

Sherman Creek

Maiden Creek

Lower Delaware River

Middle Creek

Middle Schuylkill River

Lower Schuylkill River

Antietam Creek

Conococheague Creek

Susquehanna River

Deer Creek

Elk River

Tulpehocken Creek

Middle Lehigh River

Spring Creek

Bald Eagle Creek

Pequea Creek

Muddy Creek

Mahanoy Creek

Yellow Breeches Creek

Lower Swatara Creek

Upper Schuylkill River

White Clay Creek

Cocalico Creek

Catawissa Creek

Upper Swatara Creek

Pine Creek

Chickies Creek

Shamokin Creek

Buffalo Creek

Lower Juniata River

Toms Creek

Honey Creek

Lower Conodoguinet Creek

Wiconisco Creek

Middle Juniata River Deep Creek

Pohopoco CreekFishing Creek

Bermudian Creek

Marsh Creek

Jordan Creek

Roaring Creek

Upper Conewago Creek

Little Lehigh Creek

French Creek

Nescopeck Creek

Aquashicola Creek

Quittapahilla Creek

Pocono Creek

Codorus Creek

Upper Delaware

River

Raccoon Creek-Delaware River

Darby Creek-Mantua Creek

Octoraro Creek

MiddleConodoguinet

Creek

Upper Juniata River

Little Schuylkill

River

Cooper River-Delaware River

Standing Stone Creek

Upper M

onocac

y River

West BranchConococheague

Creek

UpperNeshaminy

Creek

RockCreek

Buffalo Creek

Christina River

ManatawnyCreek

LowerConewago

Creek

Little Swatara Creek

Blacklog Creek

Kishacoquillas Creek Mahantango Creek


West BranchBrandywine

Creek

LowerNeshaminy

Creek

South BranchCodorus Creek

East BranchBrandywine

Creek

UpperConodoguinet

Creek

BrandywineCreek

CocolamusCreek

Pennypack Creek-

Rancocas Creek

Tohickon Creek-Delaware River

WissahickonCreek

East BranchOctoraro

Creek

UpperGunpowder

Falls

LittleConewago

Creek

Little Conestoga Creek

Rocky SpringBranch-

Back Creek

West BranchMahantango Creek

Bushkill Creek-Delaware River

Middle Gunpowder Falls

South BranchConewago

Creek

Little Tonoloway Creek-Potomac River

North EastRiver-Upper

ChesapeakeBay

Chillisquaque CreekBeech CreekFlat Brook-Delaware River

Fishing Creek

AssiscunkCreek-

Delaware River

Broadhead Creek

HUC 8

State BorderHUC 10


Pennsylvania HUC8 and HUC10 Watersheds, SE


Lake Erie

French Creek Oil Creek

Kettle Creek

Lower Allegheny

River

Tionesta Creek

Potato Creek

Upper Clarion River

Oswayo Creek

Mahoning Creek

Slippery Rock Creek

Headwaters Allegheny River

Brokenstraw Creek

Kinzua Creek

Sugar Creek

Beech Creek

Lower Allegheny River

Sandy Lick Creek

Neshannock Creek

Sandy Creek

Upper Pine Creek

Conneaut Creek

Bald Eagle Creek

Redbank Creek

Cowanesque RiverElk Creek

Bennett Branch Sinnemahoning Creek

Wolf Creek

Tunungwant Creek

Mill Creek-Mahoning River

Ashtabula River

Lower Conewango Creek

Middle Clarion River

Pine Creek

Little Toby Creek

Moshannon Creek

West Branch French Creek

Spring Creek

Elk Creek

Deer Creek

Piney Creek

East Sandy Creek

Muddy CreekWest Branch Tionesta Creek

Clearfield Creek

Little Sandy Creek

Buffalo CreekBeaver River

Upper Allegheny

River

Pymatuning Creek

Lower West Branch Susquehanna River

First Fork Sinnemahoning

Creek

Yankee Run-Shenango River

Sixmile Creek-Frontal Lake Erie

Lower West Branch Susquehanna River

Allegheny River

Lower Clarion

River

Conneaut Outlet

Driftwood Branch Sinnemahoning Creek

Big Run-Shenango

River

Bear Creek

Cessewago Creek

Little Shenango

River

Troups Creek

Anderson Creek

Mosquito Creek

Cryder Creek-Genesee RiverLeBoeuf

Creek

East BranchClarion River

Pymatuning Reservoir-Shenango

River

Young Womans

Creek

Wheeler Creek

Sinnemahoning CreekNorth Fork

Redbank Creek

West Branch Clarion River

Upper West Branch

Susquehanna River

Little Brokenstraw

Creek Headwaters Genesee River

Upper West Branch

Susquehanna River

South Branch Tionesta Creek

South Branch French Creek

West Branch Pine Creek

Sinnemahoning Portage

Creek

Connoquenessing Creek

Crooked Creek-Frontal

Lake Erie

Spring Creek Penns Creek

Pelee Island

Pennsylvania HUC8 and HUC10 Watersheds, NW


HUC 8

State BorderHUC 10


Wills Creek

Clearfield Creek

Chartiers CreekLoyalhanna Creek

Allegheny River

Conemaugh River

Stonycreek River

Licking Creek

Dunkard Creek

Crooked Creek

Town Creek

Lower Monongahela

River

Racoon Creek

Little Juniata River

Big Sandy Creek

Turtle Creek

Buffalo Creek

Kiskiminetas River

Kings Creek-Ohio River

Montour Run-Ohio River

Connoquenessing Creek

Lower Casselman River

Backlick Creek

LowerCheatRiver

Sewickley Creek

Indian CreekTenmile Creek

Upper Monongahela

River

Fish Creek

Upper Monongahela River

Spring Creek

Wheeling Creek

Dunning Creek

Buffalo Creek

Two Lick Creek

Spruce Creek

Allegheny River

South Fork Tenmile Creek

Shade CreekYellow Creek

Jacobs Creek

Brush Creek

Plum Creek

Cross Creek

Pine Creek

Moshannon Creek

Beaver River

Little Conemaugh River

Yellow Creek

Coxes Creek

Little Mahoning

Creek

Shaver Creek

Georges Creek

Chest Creek

Middle Youghiogheny

River

Aughwick Creek

Juniata River

Evitts

Cree

k

Laurel

Hill Cree

k

Upper Youghiogheny

River

Redstone

Creek

Upper Juniata River

Tonoloway Creek

UpperCasselman

River

Standing Stone Creek

DunkardFork

Sideling Hill Creek

Bobs Creek

West Branch Conococheague

Creek

North Fork Little Beaver Creek

Sideling Hill Creek

Quemahoning Creek

Blacklog Creek

Middle R

aystow

n

Branch

Junia

ta Rive

r

Kishacoquillas Creek

Lower Frankstown

Branch Juniata River

Beaverdam Branch Juniata River

Great Trough Creek

Upper Raystown Branch Juniata River

LowerRaystown


Upper Conodoguinet Creek

Rocky Marsh Run-Potomac River

Upper West Branch

Susquehanna River

FifteenmileCreek

Bald Eagle Creek

UpperFrankstown


Lower Youghiogheny

River

West Virginia Fork Fish Creek Little Tonoloway Creek-Potomac River

Robinson Fork-Enlow Fork

Cowanshannock Creek

Rocky Spring Branch-

Back Creek

North Branch Blacklick Creek

South Fork Little Conemaugh

Little Connoquenessing Creek Fishing CreekMill Creek-Mahoning River

Middle Grave Creek-

Grave Creek

Slippery Rock Creek Mahoning Creek

Pennsylvania HUC8 and HUC10 Watersheds, SW


HUC 8

State BorderHUC 10


Dwarf WedgemusselAlasmidonta heterodon

Nevin Welte

PA Fish & Boat Commission/ Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Global Rank G1G2 State Rank S1

IUCN Red List VU Vulnerable

Northeast Region Very High Concern / High Responsibility

PA Legal Status Endangered

CONSERVATION PROFILE

Conservation Goal:

Maintain and protect extant populations of dwarf wedgemussel in the Commonwealth and provide sufficient distribution to adequately secure the species and allow its removal from the Pennsylvania list of endangered species.

Photo: Nevin Welte

HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS

Primary

Warm, Large River

Macrogroup Large Rivers

Secondary

Habitat

Federal Status Endangered

PA Abundance Unknown

PA Short-Term Trend (10 year)

Unknown

Specific Habitat Requirements:

Medium Rivers.

PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION PENNSYLVANIA FISH & BOAT COMMISSION

Published September 20151087| Appendix 1.4 Mussels

Dwarf Wedgemussel Alasmidonta heterodon

THREATS AND ACTIONS

Specific Threat: Water management in New York's Pepacton and Cannonsville Reservoirs.

Action

Implement the Dwarf Wedgemussel Management Plan.

Objective

In the next two years develop a water management plan that will protect the full life-history of the species.

Measure

Development of a water management plan

Monitoring

Suitable habitat availability; A. heterodon population (abundance).

Priority

1

IUCN Threat: 7.0 Natural System Modifications

TRACS Action 2.0 Direct Management of Natural Resources

Action Location: HUC8 Watershed: U. Delaware, Mid. Delaware-Mongaup-Broadhead

Associated Species: Host fish, other fish and mussels.

Specific Threat: Invasive species, Didymo (Didymosphenia polymorpha).

Action

Education and outreach.

Objective

Educational kiosks, signage, gear cleaning stations, felt sole wader ban

Measure

At least one kiosk explaining the Didymo threat, 2 or more cleaning stations, and a ban of the use of felt sole waders.

Monitoring

Construction of kiosks and cleaning station along with a ban on the use of felt sole waders.

Priority

2

IUCN Threat: 8.0 Invasive and Other Problematic Species and Genes



Associated Species: Darter hosts, eastern pearlshell and its salmonid hosts (e.g., eastern brook trout).



Dwarf Wedgemussel Alasmidonta heterodon

THREATS AND ACTIONS

Specific Threat: Single catastrophic event, unregulated or poorly regulated discharges.

Action

Mussel kill investigation.

Objective

Investigate incidents, pursue damages if appropriate, and restore streams.

Measure

2 or fewer kill investigations.

Monitoring

Effectiveness of any actions depends upon the cessation of the pollutant(s) and elimination of the threat.

Priority

3

IUCN Threat: 9.0 Pollution

TRACS Action 11.0 Technical Assistance



RESEARCH NEEDS

1. Determine a federal water quality standard for chloride that is protective of this species.

SURVEY NEEDS

1. Determine the extent of dwarf wedgemussel distribution in the upper Delaware River. USGS and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) have detected the dwarf wedgemussel in the Upper Delaware River nearly to the confluence of the East and West Branch Delaware rivers. Working with the National Park Service and USGS, additional surveys targeting specific habitats are necessary to determine the range of the mussel's distribution.

2. Address data gaps in the Delaware River from the Delaware Water Gap downstream to Trenton, New Jersey. Collate existing data (USGS, Delaware Estuary Program, etc.) and determine existing data gaps that occur along the mainstream Delaware River and target these gaps with additional qualitative surveys to detect dwarf wedgemussel.

3. Survey Princess Run near Kunkletown, PA.

MONITORING PROGRAMS

Program Name Lead Agency Hyperlink Description

No Current Monitoring Programs



Northern RiffleshellEpioblasma torulosa rangiana

Nevin Welte


Global Rank G2 State Rank S2

IUCN Red List NE Not Evaluated

Northeast Region Not NE Regional SGCN



Conservation Goal:

Maintain and protect extant populations of northern riffleshell in the Commonwealth and provide sufficient distribution to adequately secure the species and allow its removal from the Pennsylvania list of endangered species.

Photo: Nevin Welte


Primary

Warm, Large River


Secondary

Warm, Medium RiverHabitat

Medium Rivers




Unknown


Medium Rivers.



Northern Riffleshell Epioblasma torulosa rangiana

THREATS AND ACTIONS

Specific Threat: Altered flow regimes, Allegheny River and Shenango River basin water management.

Action

Continue to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Pittsburgh District) and PADCNR on flow management via the Kinzua Reservoir and the Pymatuning and Shenango River Lake reservoirs.

Objective

Develop Shenango and Allegheny River conservation flow management plan.

Measure

Development of a water management plan.

Monitoring

Implementation of recommendations.

Priority

1



Action Location: HUC8 Watershed: French, Mid. Allegheny-Tionesta

Associated Species: Host fish, other fish, mussels, and invertebrates.

Specific Threat: Disturbances during bridge construction projects.

Action

Coordinate with PennDOT, permitting agencies, counties, and municipalities to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts to mussels during bridge projects.

Objective

Coordination.

Measure

Continued coordination with state and local authorities.

Monitoring

Continued coordination.

Priority

1

IUCN Threat: 4.0 Transportation and Service Corridors

TRACS Action 1.0 Coordination and Administration






THREATS AND ACTIONS

Specific Threat: Open-cut pipeline stream crossngs.

Action

Coordinate with developers and permitting agencies via the environmental review process to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts to mussels during pipeline stream crossings.

Objective

Coordination.

Measure

Continued coordination with developers and permitting agencies.

Monitoring


Priority

2






Action


Objective


Measure


Monitoring


Priority

3








THREATS AND ACTIONS

Specific Threat: Sedimentation and eutrophication.

Action

Implement Ag. Best Management Practices (BMPs).

Objective

Develop list of priority parcels for outreach and BMP implementation for French Creek watershed.

Measure

List of priority parcels.

Monitoring

Number of priority parcels where BMPs are either planned or implemented.

Priority

3

IUCN Threat: 2.0 Agriculture and Aquaculture




RESEARCH NEEDS


SURVEY NEEDS

1. No new surveys anticipated.

MONITORING PROGRAMS


Hunter Station Mussel Relocation Pilot Study

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

Stocking density, survival, and growth are being assessed using 3x4 factorial complete random block design wherein a total of 90 mussels are placed into a staked grid at three sites on the Shenango River and two sites on Conewango Creek.



SnuffboxEpioblasma triquetra

Nevin Welte







Conservation Goal:

Maintain and protect extant populations of snuffbox in the Commonwealth and provide sufficient distribution to adequately secure the species and allow its removal from the Pennsylvania list of endangered species.

Photo: Nevin Welte


Primary

Warm, Medium River

Macrogroup Medium Rivers

Secondary

Low Gradient, Cool, Small RiverHabitat

Small Rivers




Unknown


Medium Rivers.



Snuffbox Epioblasma triquetra

THREATS AND ACTIONS


Action


Objective


Measure


Monitoring


Priority

1



Action Location: HUC8 Watershed: French, Shenango


Specific Threat: Sedimentation due to agricultural and livestock farming in the French Creek and Shenango River basins.

Action


Objective


Measure


Monitoring


Priority

2







Snuffbox Epioblasma triquetra

THREATS AND ACTIONS


Action


Objective


Measure


Monitoring


Priority

3





RESEARCH NEEDS


SURVEY NEEDS

1. No new surveys anticipated.

MONITORING PROGRAMS





Eastern PearlshellMargaritifera margaritifera

Nevin Welte


Global Rank G4 State Rank S1S2

IUCN Red List EN Endangered

Northeast Region High Concern / Low Responsibility



Conservation Goal:

Maintain and protect extant populations of eastern pearlshell in the Commonwealth and provide sufficient distribution to adequately secure the species and allow its removal from the Pennsylvania list of endangered species.

Photo: Nevin Welte


Primary

Low Gradient, Cool, Headwaters and Creeks

Macrogroup Headwaters and Creeks

Secondary

Habitat

Federal Status Not Listed



Unknown


Headwaters and creeks with suitable eastern brook trout habitat.



Eastern Pearlshell Margaritifera margaritifera

THREATS AND ACTIONS

Specific Threat: Flow alteration and catastrophic failure.

Action

Learn about the life expectancy of the Locust Lake dam.

Objective

Talk with DCNR.

Measure

Speaking with someone from DCNR.

Monitoring

Obtaining dam resiliency information.

Priority

1



Action Location: HUC10 Watershed: Little Schuylkill R., U. Delaware R. (U. Delaware)

Associated Species: Salmonid host fish (e.g., eastern brook trout)

Specific Threat: Agricultural practices (e.g., livestock management) near Locust Lake.

Action

Establish contact with landowners and engage them on their willingness to adopt stream crossing BMPs for agricultural lands. If willing, implement BMPs for stream crossings and establish streambank fencing, tree plantings, etc.

Objective

In the next two years identify potential funding sources and then reach out and try to engage landowners.

Measure

Line up funding sources and contact landowners.

Monitoring

Landowner willingness to implement BMPs (then note Yes/No). Cows being removed from stream and maintenance of BMPs.

Priority

1



Action Location: HUC10 Watershed: Little Schuylkill R.





THREATS AND ACTIONS

Specific Threat: Flooding events.

Action

Coordinate flood kill investigations with DCNR.

Objective

Coordination

Measure

Making contact

Monitoring

Documentation of flood-related kill.

Priority

3

IUCN Threat: 11.0 Climate Change and Severe Weather




Specific Threat: Climate change and associated changes in precipation and temperature.

Action

If effects of climate change are realized, then discussions with state and provincial (Canadian) partners in cooler climates should be pursued to ascertain if these northern populations could be augmented or restored using Pennsylvania stock. Pennsylvania habitat would have been determined unsuitable for this species.

Objective

Coordination.

Measure

Making contact

Monitoring

Movement of mussels from Pennsylvania.

Priority

3

IUCN Threat: 11.0 Climate Change and Severe Weather

TRACS Action 8.0 Outreach



RESEARCH NEEDS

1. Evaluate reintroduction and augmentation efforts. The need for this research is dependent upon the results of an ongoing Western Pennsylvania Conservancy study (2014-2015).




SURVEY NEEDS

1. A State and Tribal Wildlife Grant project is scheduled to be completed in 2015. Pending the outcome of this work, no surveys are anticipated.

MONITORING PROGRAMS





Round HickorynutObovaria subrotunda

Nevin Welte



IUCN Red List NT Near Threatened




Conservation Goal:

Maintain and protect extant populations of round HIckorynut in the Commonwealth and provide sufficient distribution to adequately secure the species and allow its removal from the Pennsylvania list of endangered species.

Photo: Nevin Welte


Primary

Warm, Medium River

Macrogroup Medium Rivers

Secondary

Moderate Gradient, Cool, Small RiverHabitat

Small Rivers




Unknown


Large Rivers.



Round Hickorynut Obovaria subrotunda

THREATS AND ACTIONS

Specific Threat: Altered flow regimes, Shenango River basin water management.

Action

Continue to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Pittsburgh District) and PADCNR on Pymatuning and Shenango River Lake reservoirs flow management issues.

Objective


Measure


Monitoring


Priority

1



Action Location: HUC8 Watershed: Shenango



Action


Objective

Coordination.

Measure


Monitoring


Priority

1







Round Hickorynut Obovaria subrotunda

THREATS AND ACTIONS


Action


Objective


Measure


Monitoring


Priority

3





RESEARCH NEEDS

2. If appropriate and necessary, develop protocols for population augmentation via captive propagation and streamside infestations.

1. Determine if there are proximate causes for the decline of this species in the Shenango River near Shenango River Lake. If causes are identified, then evaluate for conservation actions to address specific threats.


SURVEY NEEDS

1. Conduct a mussel survey of Crooked Creek, a historical round hickorynut stream. Crooked Creek was last surveyed by Bogan and Proch in the 1990s. An updated survey is necessary to determine the composition and extent of the existing mussel fauna, identify threats, and to identify restoration opportunities.

MONITORING PROGRAMS





SheepnosePlethobasus cyphyus

Nevin Welte





PA Legal Status Threatened


Conservation Goal:

Maintain and protect extant populations of sheepnose in the Commonwealth and provide sufficient distribution to adequately secure the species and allow its removal from the Pennsylvania list of endangered species.

Photo: Nevin Welte


Primary

North-Central Appalachian Acidic Swamp

Macrogroup Northern Swamp

Secondary

Habitat

Federal Status Threatened



Unknown


Large Rivers.



Sheepnose Plethobasus cyphyus

THREATS AND ACTIONS


Action


Objective

Coordination.

Measure


Monitoring


Priority

1



Action Location: HUC8 Watershed: Mid. Allegheny-Tionesta



Action


Objective

Coordination.

Measure


Monitoring


Priority

1








THREATS AND ACTIONS


Action


Objective


Measure


Monitoring


Priority

3





Specific Threat: Altered flow regimes, Allegheny River basinwater management.

Action

Continue to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Pittsburgh District) on flow management via the Kinzua Reservoir.

Objective

Develop Allegheny River conservation flow management plan.

Measure


Monitoring


Priority

3





RESEARCH NEEDS

1. Identify host fish species for the sheepnose. Watters et al. (2009) noted only two known hosts - central stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum) and sauger (Sander canadensis). Additional cyprinids or percids are suspected to be hosts given the small, lanceolate conglutinates that the sheepnose expels to attract host fish.

2. Upon completion of a distribution survey, determine the factors that influence the distribution of sheepnose in the Allegheny River.

3. Concurrent with a distribution study, conduct a Sheepnose population status in the Allegheny River including demographics, genetics, etc.




SURVEY NEEDS

1. Determine the extent of sheepnose distribution in the Allegheny River. sheepnose is currently known from the vicinity of Franklin and Oil City extending upstream to Tionesta. The actual extent of the species distribution is unknown but needs to be determined in order to begin to identify and address any threats.

2. Surveys are encompassed as part of Ohio River mussel survey (2015-2018).

MONITORING PROGRAMS





ClubshellPleurobema clava

Nevin Welte



IUCN Red List CR Critically Endangere




Conservation Goal:

Maintain and protect extant populations of clubshell in the Commonwealth and provide sufficient distribution to adequately secure the species and allow its removal from the Pennsylvania list of endangered species.

Photo: Nevin Welte


Primary

Warm, Large River


Secondary

Low Gradient, Warm, Headwaters and Creeks

Habitat

Headwaters and Creeks




Unknown


Medium Rivers.



Clubshell Pleurobema clava

THREATS AND ACTIONS


Action


Objective

Coordination.

Measure


Monitoring


Priority

1






Action


Objective

Coordination.

Measure


Monitoring


Priority

1








THREATS AND ACTIONS


Action


Objective


Measure


Monitoring


Priority

2






Action

Mussel kill investigation

Objective


Measure


Monitoring


Priority

3








THREATS AND ACTIONS


Action


Objective


Measure


Monitoring


Priority

3



Action Location:


RESEARCH NEEDS

1. Assess the ecological capacity of Neshannock Creek to support a freshwater mussel community, including a clubshell population. This should be determined following completion of a mussel community survey. This information would assist with evaluating whether this creek could become an additional receiving stream for adults or propagated juveniles.


SURVEY NEEDS

1. Conduct a mussel survey of Neshannock Creek, a historical stream. Recent mussel surveys by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy have documented a few individual mussels during opportunistic surveys. A systematic survey of Neshannock Creek is appropriate to determine the presence of clubshell or its habitat and to identify potential areas for restoration.

2. Conduct survey of suitable habitat in Loyalhanna River Watershed.




MONITORING PROGRAMS


Hunter Station Mussel Relocation Pilot Study

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

Stocking density, survival, and growth are being assessed using 3x4 factorial complete random block design wherein a total of 90 mussels are placed into a staked grid at three sites on the Shenango River and two sites on Conewango Creek.



RabbitsfootQuadrula cylindrica cylindrica

Nevin Welte







Conservation Goal:

Maintain and protect extant populations of rabbitsfoot in the Commonwealth and provide sufficient distribution to adequately secure the species and allow its removal from the Pennsylvania list of endangered species.

Photo: Nevin Welte


Primary

Warm, Large River


Secondary

Warm, Medium RiverHabitat

Medium Rivers

Federal Status Threatened



Unknown


Medium Rivers.



Rabbitsfoot Quadrula cylindrica cylindrica

THREATS AND ACTIONS

Specific Threat: Altered flow regimes, Shenango River basinwater management.

Action

Continue to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Pittsburgh District) and PA DCNR on flow management via the Kinzua Reservoir and the Pymatuning and Shenango River Lake reservoirs.

Objective


Measure


Monitoring


Priority

1





Specific Threat: Sedimentation from agricultural runoff and livestock farming in the French Creek and Shenango River basins.

Action


Objective


Measure


Monitoring


Priority

2







Rabbitsfoot Quadrula cylindrica cylindrica

THREATS AND ACTIONS


Action


Objective


Measure


Monitoring


Priority

3





RESEARCH NEEDS


SURVEY NEEDS

1. Determine the extent of rabbitfoot distribution in the Allegheny River. The Allegheny River mussel community has been well-surveyed but the habitats for this particular species generally occurs near the banks and has been under-sampled due to survey designs intended to sample cross-sections of the river.

2. Determine the extent of rabbitfoot distribution in the Shenango River upstream of Kidds Mill Road. The Shenango River mussel community has been well-surveyed (Nelson & Villella 2010) but the habitat for this particular species generally occurs near the banks and has been under-sampled due to survey designs intended to sample cross-sections of the river. USFWS has proposed designating as critical habitat the portion of the Shenango River downstream of Kidds Mill Road (RF 32). Determining the actual extent of the species distribution in the Shenango River will inform PFBC and USFWS protection efforts.

3. Surveys are encompassed as part of Ohio River mussel survey (2015-2018).

MONITORING PROGRAMS





PistolgripQuadrula verrucosa

Nevin Welte


Global Rank G4G5 State Rank S1





Conservation Goal:

Maintain and protect extant populations of pistolgrip in the Commonwealth and provide sufficient distribution to adequately secure the species and allow its removal from the Pennsylvania list of endangered species.

Photo: Nevin Welte


Primary

Low Gradient, Warm, Headwaters and Creeks

Macrogroup Headwaters and Creeks

Secondary

Low Gradient, Warm, Small RiverHabitat

Small Rivers




Unknown


Medium Rivers.



Pistolgrip Quadrula verrucosa

THREATS AND ACTIONS

Specific Threat: Altered flow regimes, Shenango River basinwater management.

Action

Continue to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Pittsburgh District) and PADCNR on Pymatuning and Shenango River Lake reservoir flow management.

Objective


Measure


Monitoring


Priority

1



Action Location: HUC8 Watershed: Shenango, U. Ohio



Action


Objective

Coordination.

Measure


Monitoring


Priority

1







Pistolgrip Quadrula verrucosa

THREATS AND ACTIONS


Action


Objective


Measure


Monitoring


Priority

3





RESEARCH NEEDS

1. Develop protocols for population augmentation via captive propagation and streamside infestations.


SURVEY NEEDS

1. Determine the extent of pistolgrip distribution in the Ohio River's Dashields pool. The pistolgrip was detected during a 2014 pre-dredging survey. The extent of the species distribution in the Dashields pool is unknown.

2. Beaver River mussel surveys. Using systematic qualitative surveys, determine what, if any, distribution the pistolgrip may have in the Beaver River (Beaver and Lawrence Counties, Pennsylvania). The survey would begin at the river's formation at the confluence of the Shenango and Mahoning Rivers and proceed systematically downriver to the confluence with the Ohio RIver.

MONITORING PROGRAMS





Salamander MusselSimpsonaias ambigua

Nevin Welte







Conservation Goal:

Maintain and protect extant populations of salamander mussel in the Commonwealth and provide sufficient distribution to adequately secure the species and allow its removal from the Pennsylvania list of endangered species.

Photo: Nevin Welte


Primary

Warm, Large River


Secondary

Moderate Gradient, Warm, Small River

Habitat

Small Rivers




Unknown


Large Rivers, with shelter rock.



Salamander Mussel Simpsonaias ambigua

THREATS AND ACTIONS


Action


Objective

Coordination.

Measure


Monitoring


Priority

1



Action Location: HUC8 Watershed: Lwr Allegheny, Mid. Allegheny-Redbank


Specific Threat: Commercial sand and gravel dredging.

Action

Continue development of the Significant Mussel Resource concept for the Adaptive Management Group, develop state-listed mussel consultation process.

Objective

To establish protection for concentrations of non-listed species and a consultation process for state-listed species.

Measure

Completiong of SMR classication system and final state-listed species consultation process.

Monitoring

Completion of Significant Mussel Resource classification system, development of a state-listed mussel species consultation process.

Priority

1

IUCN Threat: 3.0 Energy Production and Mining






Salamander Mussel Simpsonaias ambigua

THREATS AND ACTIONS


Action


Objective


Measure


Monitoring


Priority

3





RESEARCH NEEDS

1. Determine the status of the salamander mussel host, the mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus), in the Allegheny River, Ohio River, French Creek, and Dunkard Creek.

3. Experiment with the use of artificial habitat for mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) host and salamander mussels.

2. If appropriate and necessary, develop protocols for population augmentations via captive propagation and streamside infestations.

SURVEY NEEDS

1. Conduct a salamander mussel survey in Conneaut Creek, Erie County, Pennsylvania. The Ohio portion of this stream has been reported to harbor salamander mussels. A systematic qualitative survey targeting shelter rock habitats beginning at the Pennsylvania border and moving upstream would be appropriate to 1) detect occurrences, 2) detect presence/absence of mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) hosts, and 3) map actual and potential habitat that could be targeted for protection or restoration.

MONITORING PROGRAMS





Rayed BeanVillosa fabalis

Nevin Welte


Global Rank G1G2 State Rank S1S2

IUCN Red List EN Endangered




Conservation Goal:

Maintain and protect extant populations of rayed bean in the Commonwealth and provide sufficient distribution to adequately secure the species and allow its removal from the Pennsylvania list of endangered species.

Photo: Nevin Welte


Primary

Warm, Large River


Secondary

Low Gradient, Cool, Small RiverHabitat

Small Rivers




Unknown


Medium Rivers.



Rayed Bean Villosa fabalis

THREATS AND ACTIONS


Action


Objective

Coordination.

Measure


Monitoring


Priority

1



Action Location: HUC8 Watershed: Mid. Allegheny-Tionesta, Mid. Allegheny-Redbank



Action


Objective

Coordination.

Measure


Monitoring


Priority

1








THREATS AND ACTIONS

Specific Threat: Altered flow regimes, Allegheny River basinwater management.

Action

Continue to work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Pittsburgh District) and PADCNR on flow management via the Kinzua Reservoir.

Objective

Develop Allegheny River conservation flow management plan.

Measure


Monitoring


Priority

2






Action


Objective


Measure


Monitoring


Priority

3








THREATS AND ACTIONS


Action


Objective


Measure


Monitoring


Priority

3





RESEARCH NEEDS

1. Continue to research the identification of host fish species for the rayed bean.

2. If appropriate and necessary, develop protocols for population augmentations via captive propagation and streamside infestations.


SURVEY NEEDS

1. Conduct additional surveys of Conewango Creek near Russell, Pennsylvania. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (Meyer 2010) recently conducted a qualitative survey of Conewango Creek. The WPC survey indicated a diverse Conewango Creek mussel fauna but did not detect rayed bean. Additional, but targeted, qualitative searches near its historical location at Russell, Pennsylvania (Ortmann 1919) are warranted to determine the probable presence/absence of this species in Conewango Creek.

MONITORING PROGRAMS





REFERENCES

Mussels

Dwarf Wedgemussel

NatureServe. 2015. Biotics Database. Arlington, VA. Available from http://www.natureserve.org/.

Ortmann, A. E. 1919. A monograph of the naiads of Pennsylvania. Part III: Systematic account of the genera and species. Memoirs of the Carnegie Museum 8:xvi-384.

PNHP (Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program). 2015. Pennsylvania Mussel Database. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Northern Riffleshell




Snuffbox




Eastern Pearlshell




Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. 2015. Assessment of Eastern Pearl Shell distributions, populations, genetic diversity and habitat. A State and Tribal Wildlife Grants (# F13AF00473) project administered by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Round Hickorynut




PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION PENNSYLVANIA FISH & BOAT COMMISSION1126| Appendix 1.4 Mussels

REFERENCES

Sheepnose




Watters, G. T., M. A. Hoggarth, and D. H. Stansbery. 2009. The Freshwater Mussels of Ohio. The Ohio State University Press, Columbus, Ohio.

Clubshell




Rabbitsfoot


Nelson II, R. G. and R. F. Villella. 2010. Assess the presence and potential habitat for reintroduction of priority freshwater mussel species in the Shenango River. 2010 Final Report. USGS Leetown Science Center, Kearneysville, West Virginia.



Pistolgrip




Salamander Mussel





REFERENCES

Rayed Bean

Meyer, E.S. 2010. Freshwater Mussel Survey of Conewango Creek. Final Report. State and Tribal Wildlife Grant Project T-26-R-1. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.





Documents

Species of Greatest Conservation Need Species Accounts · 2 0 1 5 – 2 0 2 5 . Species of Greatest Conservation Need . Species Accounts . Appendix 1.4F-Mussels Freshwater Mussel