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394:. The original report stated that the populations appeared to have extremely restricted distribution and that much of the habitat in the species historic range (Catawba, Pee Dee, Saluda, and Savannah River systems) is now unsuitable for the reintroduction of the species. The recovery plan also stated that it was very important that the species were extensively enough established so the population couldn't be completely wiped out by one major event involving their habitat.
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heelsplitter is a bradytichtic species, brooding fertilized eggs over the winter after spawning. When the glochidia (larvae) are fully developed the next year, the female mussel releases them into the water. The larvae must attach themselves quickly to a body part of their host fish, which is not harmed in the process. Host species for this mussel include members of the
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of copper and ammonia, but seem to tolerate slightly higher levels of chlorine. The most elevated levels of ammonia were found at the stations at Goose Creek, as were the highest chlorine and copper levels. The research group thought that the higher levels of copper were due to more suspended sediment because of a recent rain downpour.
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The original recovery plan for the species was written by John A. Fridell and recognized in
January 1997. The major points were using government regulations to protect the species, creating educational opportunities, continuing to search for new populations, establishing six viable populations, and
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This species was determined to be endangered on
Wednesday, June 30, 1993. The reasons stated were: “Present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range”, “over utilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes”, “disease or predation”,
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These mussels need to live near very stable river or stream banks. Crumbling banks not only take away home territory for this group of mussels, but a stable stream bank system also means that many plants and trees live near the stream banks and hold the soil and sediment in place with their roots.
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The
Carolina heelsplitter is now found in shallow streams and rivers ranging from about one to four feet deep. The water has to be clear, without culverts, dams, or anything that might obstruct the flow of the river. The rivers must have high oxygen content with a lot of microscopic organisms and
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Clean and unpolluted water is very important to the
Carolina heelsplitters. Chemical water pollution can be the most serious threat. This can include runoff, dumping trash or chemicals into the stream and rivers, and other sources. Mussel larvae and juveniles are extremely sensitive to high levels
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One of the main reasons that the
Carolina heelsplitter has such a high risk of going extinct is its population size. Currently the number of individuals in each population is low, and are distant from one another, such that they have little opportunity to mingle genes. This may mean that there is
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The
Carolina heelsplitter lives in shallow streams and rivers, and occasionally, a pond. The species can usually be found in mud, or mixed sediments. They are usually found along stable stream banks, but have also been found in the middle of a water way. It is important that the water does not
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A fish host is very important to all mussels, not only because it provides the young with food and oxygen, but also because it serves as a mode of transportation. The transportation of the mussels is key when attempting to create new populations in streams and river banks. Thus this creature can
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The numbers that the surveyors found also indicate that the species is in decline, and also that none of the populations have improved over time. John A. Fridell also mentions that the populations are very highly fragmented and isolated, and that they have also only been found in short stream
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The reproductive cycle begins when the male
Carolina heelsplitter releases its sperm into the stream. Soon afterwards the sperm is taken in by the females, a process which is called siphoning. The female's eggs, which will be carried in the female's gills, are then fertilized. The Carolina
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The vegetation along the river and stream sides also help regulate the water's temperature during the long and hot summers. It also provides decaying leaves and plants that are an essential part to the survival of all organisms living in the water.
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Attached to the fish, the heelsplitters receive oxygen and other needs from the host for several weeks. When they have grown into fully developed juvenile mussels, they release themselves from the fish and settle into the stream or river.
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With an “ovate, trapezoid-shaped, unsculptured shell“, the size of the largest
Carolina heelsplitter currently is about 4.6 inches (12 cm) in length and 1.56 inches (4.0 cm) in width, with a height of 2.7 inches (6.9 cm).
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Both expansion and development greatly affect the
Carolina heelsplitter, as it does most species. Such human interventions as channelization, impoundments and stream dredging harm the species by directly destroying its habitat.
383:“the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms”, and “other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence”. There has since been a review of the species and how it has been recovering, dated July 28, 2006.
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This medium-sized mussel has well-developed, but thin, lateral teeth that are somewhat delicate. The
Carolina heelsplitter also has two blade-like pseudocardinal teeth in the left valve, and one in the right valve.
874:
Ward, Sara . Augspurger, Tom. Dwyer, F. James. Kane, Cindy. Ingersoll, Christopher G. "Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry." SETAC Journals Online. 2007. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
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If it is possible to find out what species of fish serves as the fish host for the larvae of the Carolina heelsplitters, then it will be possible to determine whether the fish host is endangered or over fished.
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populations. The biggest reasons for their critical endangerment are due to sedimentation and stream pollution, road construction and maintenance, runoff, mining, and several other human generated problems.
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that is pearly white or bluish-white, although the nacre can be pale orange in older specimens. The younger individuals tend to have faint black or greenish-brown rays on the outer surface of the shell.
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website states that to be considered critically endangered, the species must face an extremely high risk of becoming extinct in the wild in the immediate future.
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903:"Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 5-Year Review of 19 Southeastern Species." Species Profile. 28 July 2006. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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Any rise of silt or sediments in the rushing water can have a detrimental effect on the species and too much sediment will smother and kill the mussels.
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G. Booy, R. J. J. Hendriks, M. J. M. Smulders, J. M. Van Groenendael, B. Vosman (2000) Genetic Diversity and the Survival of Populations Plant Biology 2
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Any kind of human development such as bridges etc. on or near the rivers greatly disturbs the delicate balance of the carried sediment in the water.
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Fridell, John A.. "Carolina Heelsplitter in North Carolina." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. 2003. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. 8 Apr 2008
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1–17 individuals were found in eight of the known populations, with only 1–5 individuals being found in four of these eight populations.
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There are currently ten known populations (prior to the 2007–2008 drought) in North Carolina and South Carolina. The areas include
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898:"Discover Goose Creek and the Carolina Heelsplitter." North Carolina Wildlife. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
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This freshwater mussel has a shell which is greenish-brown to dark brown on the outside. The inside of the shell usually has
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856:"The Carolina Heelsplitter in the Carolinas." Library.fws.gov. December 2002. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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It is named the "Carolina heelsplitter" because in life the sharp edge of the valves protrudes from the
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alleviating major threats to the species, with the final objective being to get the species de-listed.
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not enough genetic material for them to be able to adapt properly to natural and manmade challenges.
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Information on Threatened and Endangered Species. Carolina heelsplitter, Lasmigona decorata.
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John A. Fridell states that the numbers of individuals in every population is very small:
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892:"Species Information and Status." North Carolina Mussel Atlas. North Carolina Wildlife.
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1996. Carolina Heelsplitter Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and
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Many combined influences are connected to the decline and endangerment of the
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When the recovery plan was written, there were only four known populations of
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The first recorded encounter with the Carolina heelsplitter was in 1852 by
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This species' current status is classified as "critically endangered". The
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and could cut the foot of someone walking on the river or stream bed.
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Historically the Carolina heelsplitter was known to be found in the
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358:. The largest recorded specimen was about five inches long.
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The largest population included only 42 individuals.
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763:. Raleigh: NC State College of Veterinary Medicine
1180:Critically endangered fauna of the United States
761:Aquatic Epidemiology and Conservation Laboratory
504:26 individuals were found in only one population
862:Price, Jennifer. "Carolina Heelsplitter." DNR.
8:
919:at webpage of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
415:seed the fresh waters and have more larvae.
1155:IUCN Red List critically endangered species
626:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T11360A3273594.en
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829:Learn how and when to remove this message
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792:This article includes a list of general
656:Environmental Conservation Online System
494:all located in the Saluda River system.
378:Endangered Species Act and Recovery Plan
1175:Fauna of the Southeastern United States
701:Integrated Taxonomic Information System
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1170:Endemic molluscs of the United States
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524:Threats and reasons for endangerment
354:. He described this new creature as
612:IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
798:it lacks sufficient corresponding
733:. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe
658:. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
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482:in the Catawba River system, and
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852:Wildlife Service, Atlanta, GA.
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888:US Fish and Wildlife Service
462:in the Pee Dee River system,
721:NatureServe (7 April 2023).
451:systems in South Carolina.
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1185:Bivalves described in 1852
757:glochidia and infestation"
567:Expansion and development
419:Location and distribution
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103:Scientific classification
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648:"Carolina heelsplitter (
813:more precise citations.
512:reaches of each other.
1160:ESA endangered species
439:, and the Pee Dee and
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35:Carolina heelsplitter
424:carry much sediment.
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316:and is found in only
268:Carolina heelsplitter
66:Critically Endangered
619:: e.T11360A3273594.
601:Bogan, A.E. (1996).
552:plants to feed on.
547:Habitat degradation
51:Conservation status
966:lasmigona-decorata
937:Lasmigona decorata
755:Lasmigona decorata
725:Lasmigona decorata
695:Lasmigona decorata
650:Lasmigona decorata
605:Lasmigona decorata
517:Lasmigona decorata
392:Lasmigona decorata
348:
345:Lasmigona decorata
273:Lasmigona decorata
246:Unio charlottensis
212:Lasmigona decorata
27:Species of bivalve
18:Lasmigona decorata
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1114:Open Tree of Life
929:Taxon identifiers
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282:freshwater mussel
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697:(Lea, 1852)"
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1088:NatureServe
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811:introducing
632:14 November
472:Gills Creek
456:Goose Creek
443:systems of
435:systems in
335:Description
1149:Categories
819:April 2009
794:references
585:References
460:Flat Creek
405:Cyprinidae
88:Endangered
1165:Lasmigona
352:Isaac Lea
343:shell of
303:substrate
296:Unionidae
257:Lea, 1872
249:Lea, 1863
241:Lea, 1852
188:Species:
181:Lasmigona
170:Unionidae
126:Kingdom:
120:Eukaryota
1093:2.117516
1041:11277879
952:Q3017695
946:Wikidata
767:11 April
737:11 April
706:11 April
662:11 April
229:Synonyms
166:Family:
160:Unionida
150:Bivalvia
140:Mollusca
136:Phylum:
130:Animalia
116:Domain:
71:IUCN 2.3
1015:2288263
807:improve
312:to the
310:endemic
292:mollusk
289:bivalve
286:aquatic
278:species
276:) is a
222:, 1852)
176:Genus:
156:Order:
146:Class:
91: (
69: (
1132:857333
1119:957630
1054:122625
1028:104092
1002:449430
986:ECOS:
961:ARKive
796:, but
490:, and
478:, and
220:I. Lea
1127:WoRMS
1106:85052
1080:11360
1067:80140
1036:IRMNG
979:3SH2R
681:34926
363:nacre
284:, an
1101:NCBI
1075:IUCN
1062:ITIS
1010:GBIF
989:3534
769:2023
739:2023
708:2023
664:2023
634:2021
617:1996
458:and
431:and
320:and
266:The
1049:ISC
997:EoL
974:CoL
676:58
621:doi
280:of
93:ESA
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678:FR
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