Author(s): Megan Dinicola; Belize Lane

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Freshwater mussels; Reintroductions; Subadult; Mobilization

Abstract: Species reintroductions are an important conservation tool but require both conscious release planning as well as adequate monitoring to ensure success. A widely imperiled aquatic fauna, freshwater mussels, are a sessile benthic animal that have complicated life histories and require stable sediments to provide structure to their environment. While reintroductions of mussels are becoming more common, there is still a lack of knowledge of what the suitable physical habitat thresholds are for the size of mussels typically used in reintroductions. Here, we use a combination of field and flume studies paired with a hydrodynamic model to inform the first mussel reintroduction in Texas, USA. Shear stress-based mussel mobility thresholds and physical habitat types guided the selection of suitable reintroduction locations. The local river authority had previously selected reintroduction sites based on site visits and local knowledge, which partially matched the model results, showing the validity of using modeling analysis paired with physical testing can provide increased success for reintroduction projects.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64697/iahr.proc.ise2026.abs.296

Year: 2026