| Abstract: | We studied the distribution and winter survival of the Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea, in the St. Clair River from the fall of 1988 to the spring of 1990. Between fall of 1988 and spring of 1989, distribution of Corbicula was extended from 5.5 to 11.5 km downstream from an electric power plant. However, total abundance of clams decreased during the winter. By fall of 1989, Corbicula was found 14.5 km from the power plant, and the mean density of clams was 27 individuals/m2. Between fall of 1989 and spring of 1990, distribution was reduced to 7.5 km from the power plant and abundance decreased 97%. During the winter of 1988-1989, we collected clams monthly from one station 2.2 km from the power plant, and we observed that clams survived the harsh winter for two months after the water temperature dropped about 1.5°C below the reported lethal level for Corbicula in midwinter. During the winer of 1989-1990, we held clams at the sediment-water interface in enclosures, and we observed that condition indices (dry body weight; dry shell weight) of clams remained stable (mean = 0.05 ± 0.01) in December and January and then declined significantly (p < 0.05) to 0.04 ± 0.01 in February. All clams perished by late March. The deteriorating physiological state of clams, as indicated by declining condition index, seemingly is a factor in late winter mortalities of Corbicula in the St. Clair River. In contrast to the rapid geographic spread and population increases in the southern United States, Corbicula likely will not spread rapidly throughout the Great Lakes beyond shoreline thermal refugia of heated-water discharge plumes from power plants. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70006542 |
| Citation Author: | French, John R. P., III; Schloesser, Don W. |
| Citation Contributing Office: | Great Lakes Science Center |
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| Citation End Page: | 192 |
| Citation Issue: | 2 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Journal of Freshwater Ecology |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 9 |
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| Citation Phsyical Description: | 10 p. |
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| Citation Public Comments: | Abstract has subscript/superscript to be fixed |
| Citation Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Distribution and winter survival health of Asian clams, Corbicula fluminea, in the St. Clair River, Michigan; 1996; Article; Journal; Journal of Freshwater Ecology; French, John R. P., III; Schloesser, Don W. |
| Citation Start Page: | 183 |
| Citation Volume: | 11 |
| Citation Year: | 1996 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Distribution and winter survival health of Asian clams, Corbicula fluminea, in the St. Clair River, Michigan; 1996; Article; Journal; Journal of Freshwater Ecology; French, John R. P., III; Schloesser, Don W. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| URL (DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02705060.1996.9663477 |
| Date Other: | Sun, 1 Jan 2012 14:38 -0600 |
| Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
