SUITABLE FISH HOSTS FOR GLOCHIDIA OF THREE FRESHWATER
MUSSELS: SQUAWFOOT, ELLIPSE, AND SNUFFBOX 

Katie Rose Hillegass, Mark C. Hove 
University of Minnesota, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, St. Paul, MN
55108.

Of 297 freshwater mussel species living in North America, 213 are either
endangered, threatened, or of special concern.  The identification of fish hosts is
listed in the National Strategy for Freshwater Mussel Conservation as an urgent
research objective.  We conducted laboratory studies to determine suitable fish
hosts for three species of freshwater mussels: squawfoot (Strophitus undulatus),
ellipse (Venustaconcha ellipsiformis), and snuffbox (Epioblasma triquetra). 
Various fish species were exposed to mussel larvae via artificial infestation.  A fish
was considered a suitable host when larval metamorphosis to the juvenile stage
was observed.   Juvenile squawfoot were collected from five of seven species
tested: largemouth bass, green sunfish, black bullheads, bluegills, and yellow
perch.  Of nine fish species exposed to ellipse glochidia, only blackside darters
were suitable hosts.  Snuffbox  glochidia metamorphosed on logperch and
blackside darters.  Host requirements for squawfoot glochidia appeared to be quite
general, whereas ellipse glochidia were more selective.  Species-specific molecular
markers are being developed for use in the identification of glochidia collected
from naturally infested fish.





Key words: freshwater mussels, fish hosts, Strophitus undulatus, Venustaconcha
ellipsiformis, Epioblasma triquetra




1.  Katie Rose Hillegass, University of Minnesota, Department of Fisheries and
Wildlife, 1980 Folwell Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, (612) 624-3019, (612)
625-5299
2.  Platform presentation, willing to convert to poster.
3.  Student author