AUTHORS: Alexis Oetterer, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Homestead National Historical Park; Jesse Bolli, Homestead National Historical Park
ABSTRACT: Freshwater mussels are one of the most endangered taxonomic groups in North America, with native mussels having undergone severe losses in the Midwest due to land conversion, loss of host fish, threats from invasive mussels, and hydrological alterations. Nebraska was historically home to 30 species of freshwater mussels, but only about a third of those are currently considered stable in the state. Cub Creek is a tributary of the Big Blue River and runs through Homestead National Historical Park in southeastern Nebraska. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has been pursuing the hatchery propagation of two native mussel species for reintroduction. Cub Creek was identified as a location to reintroduce the extirpated species. National Park Service staff and volunteers conducted surveys to characterize freshwater mussel populations in Cub Creek from 2020-2024. This resulted in the collection of 2,330 individuals representing 10 species. Mapleleaf, Pimpleback, and (after the 2020 reintroduction) Plain Pocketbook (Lampsilis cardium) and Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea) mussels had the highest abundances. Additionally, Plain Pocketbook and Fatmucket mussels were restocked from 2020-2023. A subset of mussels each year was PIT-tagged to evaluate growth and survival of mussels to reintroduced habitats. Fatmucket mussels have higher survival rates than Plain Pocketbook mussels. Surveys are ongoing to generate more baseline data on the status of freshwater mussel populations in Cub Creek. The results can be used to inform future research and conservation efforts.
