Results of James Spinymussel Surveys in Central Virginia

Anne C. ChazalField Zoologist

VA Dept. Conservation and Recreation – Division of Natural HeritageRichmond, VA

James Spinymussel

(Pleurobema collina)

Federally Endangered

Virginia Endangered

North Carolina Endangered

NatureServe Global Rank: G1

Purpose of the surveys

• Survey the lower reaches of tributaries to the James River and its mainstem for the presence of R,T&E freshwater mussel species emphasizing:– Pleurobema collina (James Spinymussel, FE, VA-E)– Alasmidonta varicosa (Brook Floater – VA-E)– Fusconaia masoni (Atlantic Pigtoe, VA – T)– Lasmigona subviridis (Green Floater, VA-T)– Lampsilis cariosa (Yellow Lampmussel, VA-SC)– Elliptio lanceolata (Yellow Lance, VA-SC)

Tye River City of Richmond

Highlight 1:New JSM records

Highlight 2: Lasmigona subviridis continues to thrive in the Tye River

The rest of the results

Alasmidonta undulata Pleurobema collina

Elliptio complanata Pyganadon cataracta

Elliptio fisheriana Strophitus undulatus

Lasmigona subviridis Villosa constricta

• 13 sites with no mussels• 13 sites with only Corbicula fluminea (live and/or shell)• 1 site with only shell evidence of native species• 32 sites with live native mussel species• 8 documented species:

Thanks• Steve Roble, Chris Hobson and Danielle Kulas

(VDCR-DNH) for survey help• Brian Watson (VDGIF) for survey help,

identifications, and funding

• This was funded by the VDGIF using Section 6 funds provided by the USFWS.