Changing perspectives on pearly mussels, North America's most imperiled animals

BioScience
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Pearly mussels (Unionacea) are widespread, abundant, and important in freshwater ecosystems around the world. Catastrophic declines in pearly mussel populations in North America and other parts of the world have led to a flurry of research on mussel biology, ecology, and conservation. Recent research on mussel feeding, life history, spatial patterning, and declines has augmented, modified, or overturned long-held ideas about the ecology of these animals. Pearly mussel research has begun to benefit from and contribute to current ideas about suspension feeding, life-history theory, metapopulations, flow refuges, spatial patterning and its effects, and management of endangered species. At the same time, significant gaps in understanding and apparent paradoxes in pearly mussel ecology have been exposed. To conserve remaining mussel populations, scientists and managers must simultaneously and aggressively pursue both rigorous research and conservation actions.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Changing perspectives on pearly mussels, North America's most imperiled animals
Series title BioScience
DOI 10.1641/0006-3568(2004)054[0429:CPOPMN]2.0.CO;2
Volume 54
Issue 5
Year Published 2004
Language English
Publisher Oxford Journals
Contributing office(s) Great Lakes Science Center
Description 11 p.
First page 429
Last page 439
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details