Mark Hove1, Matt Berg2, Katie Dietrich3, Carlos Gonzalez3, Daniel Hornbach3, Kevin Juleen2, Mark Ledford4, Meggie Marzec4, Marissa McGill1, Carrie Nelson1, B.J. Ritger2, Jason Selander2, and Anne Kapuscinski1
 

1 Dept. Fish., Wild., & Cons. Biol., Univ. of MN, 1980 Folwell Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108
2 Grantsburg High School, 480 East James Avenue, Grantsburg, WI 54840
3 Dept. Biology, Macalester College, 1600 Grand Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105
4 Breck High School, 123 Ottawa Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55422

Identification of host fishes for native mussels ranks among the highest research priorities in a national conservation strategy organized by the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society. High school students from Breck High School and Grantsburg High School worked with the University of Minnesota and Macalester College to complete host suitability trials using larvae (glochidia) from 3 St. Croix River mussel species, snuffbox (Epioblasma triquetra), mapleleaf (Quadrula quadrula), and round pigtoe (Pleurobema sintoxia). We followed standard methods to conduct glochidia host suitability trials at the University of Minnesota’s Wet Laboratory, and Grantsburg High School’s Science Laboratory. Between 1-17 individuals of up to 24 fish species were exposed to glochidia from one mussel species. Infested fish species were held separate flow through or static aquaria at 19-23 °C. We observed snuffbox glochidia metamorphose into juveniles on logperch. Mapleleaf glochidia transformed on channel and blue catfish, but not on flathead catfish or black bullheads. Metamorphosis was observed on several minnow species (spotfin, common, and golden shiners, hornyhead and creek chubs) exposed to round pigtoe glochidia. We plan to expand our research team in the future by including additional high schools, and in so doing; broaden appreciation of St. Croix River resources.

Additional reading:

Hove, M.C., K.R. Hillegas, J.E. Kurth, V.E. Pepi, C.J. Lee, K.A. Knudsen, A.R. Kapuscinski, P.A. Mahoney, and M.M. Bomier. 2000. Considerations for conducting host suitability studies. pp. 27-34 in R.A. Tankersley, D.I. Warmolts, G.T. Watters, B.J. Armitage, P.D. Johnson, and R.S. Butler (eds.). Freshwater Mollusk Symposia Proceedings. Part I. Proceedings of the Conservation, Captive Care and Propagation of Freshwater Mussels Symposium. Ohio Biological Survey Special Publication, Columbus. 274 pp.