Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference 2018

AUTHORS: Rachel M. Paull, Central Michigan University, Biology Department and Institute for Great Lakes Research; Mandy L. Annis, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Michigan Ecological Services Field Office; Daelyn A. Woolnough, Central Michigan University, Biology Department and Institute for Great Lakes Research

ABSTRACT: Limited information on the effects of contaminants on unionids is available yet unionids are often exposed to multiple chemicals in a range of native ecosystems from agriculturally dominated to urban dominated landscapes. We considered the influence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and industrial, and agricultural chemicals among others, on unionids using a controlled streamside laboratory in urban dominated, Milwaukee River (Milwaukee WI), and agricultural dominated, Maumee River (Toledo OH) watersheds. Nine treatments were tested consisting of a positive and negative control as well as a CEC gradient of six water sources within the respective urban and agricultural watersheds for 21 days. During this study we quantified behavior (e.g., filtering, foot protrusion, luring) in male and female unionids. Same sourced Lampsilis cardium were used in both the urban and agricultural studies and L. siliquoidea and Elliptio dilatata were added to the urban study. At the end of the studies, non-lethal reproductive endpoints (e.g., glochidia/egg development, sperm development, growth) were assessed as well as glycogen levels, the primary energy reserve in bivalves. We will present these data along with CEC data, comparing among treatments as well as between urban and agricultural waters.  We will also present similarities and differences between sexes of unionids and among species. These data will help determine the impact, of CECs, on these highly imperiled sentinel taxa that provide a variety of ecosystem services in aquatic ecosystems.