The data consists of targeted metabolite analysis (using quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectroscopy ;UHPLC-QTOF-MS) of hemolymph from two freshwater mussel species (Lampsilis cardium and L. siliquoidea) from three streams in Indiana. Concentrations of metabolites were modeled by species, stream and sex to determine the influence of each parameter.

Dataset consists of morphometric measurements from unionid Pondmussel (Ligumia subrostrata) and concentrations of four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water and freshwater mussels collected from a 14-day accumulation and 7-day elimination study. The accumulation of four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were measured. Samples (4 replicates) were collected at 0, 4, 12, 48, 96, 168, and 336 hours during the uptake phase of the exposure. Samples (4 replicates) were collected at time point 348, 360, 408, and 504 hours during the elimination phase of the exposure. Note the time points are sequential with the uptake portion of the study followed by the elimination portion of the study.

This dataset describes the sensitivity (limit of detection and limit of quantification) and specificity (list of species tested against the assays) of two qPCR assays designed to detect the male mitotype of two freshwater mussel species Ortmanniana ligamentina and Cumberlandia monodonta from water samples (eDNA).

Data from metabarcoding assays to detect a suite of mussel species using mitochondrial DNA regions of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit (ND1) genes sequences.

Data describe a mesocosm study for the detection of mucket (Ortmanniana ligamentina), fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea), and giant floater (Pyganodon grandis) freshwater mussel environmental DNA (eDNA). Water samples were collected on two different days in September of 2022 from a CERC pond containing O. ligamentina, L. siliquoidea, and P. grandis then analyzed for the presence of eDNA. Three different collection methods were performed: (1) 50 milliliter samples which were centrifuged, decanted, and concentrated pellet suspended for analysis; (2) 1.0 um mixed cellulose ester (MCE) membranes were used to filter sample material; and (3), 1.2 um polyethersulfone (PES) membranes were used to filter sample material. Parameters described in this data release include qPCR results and associated quality assurance measurements from the mesocosm water samples.

The invasive sea lamprey poses a substantial threat to fish communities in the Great Lakes. Efforts to control sea lamprey populations typically involve treating tributary streams with lampricides on a recurring cycle. Elevated densities of sea lampreys in the aquatic corridor between Lakes Huron and Erie prompted managers to propose a treatment using Bayluscide®—a granular lampricide formulation that targets larval sea lamprey that reside in sediments. However, there was concern over the potential for adverse effects of this treatment on native freshwater mussels—imperiled animals that also reside in sediments. We estimated the risk of mortality and sub-lethal effects among eight species of adult and sub-adult mussels exposed to Bayluscide® for durations up to 8 hours to mimic field applications. At one of 12 time periods (0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 240, 360, or 480 min), one mussel from each aquarium was randomly removed, assessed for response variables (see below) and placed into a recovery raceway for 21 days. Response variables were: depth of burial into substrate, siphoning activity, dead or alive, and foot extension beyond shell margin.

Spectaclecase (Margaritifera monodonta) is a federally endangered freshwater mussel species that has experienced a 55% reduction in range (USFWS 2014) and is currently concentrated in three rivers in the Midwest of the United States (Gasconade, Meramec Rivers, MO, and St. Croix River, WI). Its preference for living under large rocks and boulders has limited detection of new populations by traditional survey methods. Environmental DNA technology has been used to detect invasive and rare species, but its use for detection of rare, benthic-dwelling species in large flowing systems has been limited. Here, we propose using environmental DNA to identify presumable sites for discovery of M. monodonta. We designed a M. monodonta-specific qPCR assay and tested it using M. monodonta-housed tank water and water samples from two known mussel beds on the St. Croix River and three known mussel beds on the Mississippi River. We observed higher overall detection rate on the St. Croix River (30.2%) compared to the Upper Mississippi River (0.60%). We also observed higher eDNA detection rates (73.3-93.1%) in 2018 for samples collected during the larval release period in May compared to samples collected in August after reproduction stopped (55.6-70.8%) on the St. Croix River. We tested samples collected at three distances downstream of the two mussel beds found in the St. Croix River, but we did not observe a significant effect of distance on our detection rates. However, we did observe greater detection rates for samples collected near the bottom compared to at the surface. Our results indicate that this novel qPCR assay can successfully detect M. monodonta eDNA and could be utilized to rapidly screen locations to guide intensive physical searches for populations in riverine systems.

Here we present the data collected during a mark-recapture study on freshwater mussels in Bruce Creek, Walton County, Florida. These data were used to evaluate the non-lethal impacts of a gill sampling protocol to assess gravidity of freshwater mussels. Data were collected every four weeks, or as weather permitted, to be able to monitor the reproductive status of each mussel every month of the year. The dataset includes unique tag numbers to identify specific female mussels captured and recaptured during this study. Genus and species were identified, and the gravidity status was evaluated for each individual mussel.