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Document Type

Research

Keywords

mussels, stream fauna, Unionid mussels

Abstract

The Iowa driftless region occupies an area of about 9,000 km2 in the northeastern corner of Iowa and is drained by relatively old entrenched meandering streams. The Upper Iowa River and Turkey River are the largest of these streams. During the period from June, 1999 to October, 2000, a total of 193 sites were surveyed for mussels from the Upper Iowa River, the Turkey River, and their main tributaries. Surveys were conducted by hand using a 10 m bank-to-bank search at each site. Data analysis was facilitated using ArcView GIS. The presence of mussels was recorded at 75% of the sites, and live individuals were noted at 30% of the sites. Thirteen mussel species were recorded, with 5 or more species being found at 17% of the sites and 8 or more species at only 3% of the sites. Five of the species (Cylinder, Creek Heelsplitter, Squawfoot, Ellipse, and Fluted-shell) are listed as either threatened or endangered mussel species in Iowa, and no federally endangered mussels were found.

Publication Date

September-December 2002

Journal Title

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science

Volume

109

Issue

3-4

First Page

43

Last Page

49

Copyright

© Copyright 2002 by the Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.

Language

EN

File Format

application/pdf

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