Updated distribution for two freshwater mussel species of conservation concern in Oklahoma

Hunter M. Torolski; James M. Long; Robert Charles Lonsinger; Lindsey Bruckerhoff

doi:10.1656/058.023.0314

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Updated distribution for two freshwater mussel species of conservation concern in Oklahoma

Hunter M. Torolski·James M. Long·Robert Charles Lonsinger·Lindsey Bruckerhoff

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Abstract

Qualitative and quantitative sampling efforts in the Verdigris River, OK (upstream of Lake Oologah), yielded new distributional records of 2 freshwater mussel species of conservation need: Cyprogenia aberti (Western Fanshell) and Ptychobranchus occidentalis (Ouachita Kidneyshell). The Ouachita Kidneyshell has not been documented alive during a scientific survey in the Oklahoma portion of the Verdigris River in nearly 100 years. Our observations extend the known distribution for the Western Fanshell further downstream into Oklahoma by ∼36 river km. These findings indicate an expansion in the known range and potential improvement in the populations of 2 imperiled mussel species, contrary to the prevailing global trend of mussel population decline.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 36.66994659820287° to 36.9965378652591° latitude; -95.63449582978087° to -95.49710413665746° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Hunter M. Torolski, James M. Long, Robert Charles Lonsinger, Lindsey Bruckerhoff. 2024. Updated distribution for two freshwater mussel species of conservation concern in Oklahoma. https://doi.org/10.1656/058.023.0314

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