| Abstract: | The shells of most North American freshwater mussel species are not sexually dimorphic. During the brooding period, gravid females can be identified by inspection of marsupial gills; however, it is difficult to separate nongravid females from males in species lacking sexual dimorphism. The ability to differentiate males from females throughout the year would assist mussel conservation and research. Our objective was to test the accuracy and safety of a method to determine the sex of live mussels. We used a syringe to extract ???0.2 mL of gonadal fluid from 67 Elliptio dilatata and 65 Actinonaias ligamentina. The fluid was stained and examined microscopically for developing gametes. This method was safe and effective for determining the sex of mussels. After 1 y, survival was indistinguishable between test and control groups for both species. We sacrificed 4 to 7 E. dilatata and A. ligamentina at 3-mo intervals and examined histological sections of gonads. Sex assigned from examination of gonadal fluid and histological sections agreed in most cases (E. dilatata: 100%, A. ligamentina: 89%). ?? 2008 by The North American Benthological Society. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70031944 |
| Citation Author: | Saha, S.; Layzer, J. B. |
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| Citation End Page: | 89 |
| Citation Issue: | 1 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Journal of the North American Benthological Society |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 6 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Evaluation of a nonlethal technique for determining sex of freshwater mussels; 2008; Article; Journal; Journal of the North American Benthological Society; Saha, S.; Layzer, J. B. |
| Citation Start Page: | 84 |
| Citation Volume: | 27 |
| Citation Year: | 2008 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Evaluation of a nonlethal technique for determining sex of freshwater mussels; 2008; Article; Journal; Journal of the North American Benthological Society; Saha, S.; Layzer, J. B. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| URL (DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1899/07-004R.1 |
| Date Other: | Tue, 1 Jan 2008 00:00 -0600 |
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