MUSSEL REFUGIA AT THE WILDS

Many populations of native freshwater mussels are imperiled by the encroachment of the exotic Zebra and Quagga Mussels. In many instances, the only chance these native mussels may have to survive is through human intervention. To this end, native mussels from the Ohio River have been relocated to state and federal fish hatcheries across the country to remove them from harm's way.

The Mollusc Division, in collaboration with the Ohio Division of Wildlife and the US Fish & Wildlife Service, began a project to determine the feasability of relocating native mussels to existing "ponds" at The Wilds. The Wilds is a free-range zoo located in Muskingum County, OH, that specializes in captive breeding programs of rare animals such as Przewalski's Horse, Trumpeter Swans, Pere David's Deer, and other rare and endangered species. Over 12,000 acres in extent, it is the largest tract of reclaimed strip-mine land in North America. It was donated to The Wilds by the American Electric Power Service Corporation after reclamation.

The Wilds has numerous "ponds" -- old quarries -- varying from a few feet to 70 ft in depth. Because the ponds have no native mussel populations, and the property is remote and private, it is ideal for use as mussel refugia. To date we have relocated six mussel species into several ponds, either as "free-ranging" mussels or suspended in plastic milk crates. Initiated over three years ago, the mussels are monitored twice a year to determine survival and growth.

To date, survival of the six species varies from ~66% to 0%. Two species of heel-splitters, Leptodea fragilis and Potamilus alatus, did not make the transition and have all died. Other species have fared better. Mussels in the crates have survived as well as those free-ranging, and all living mussels display growth.