Host Fishes and Infection Strategies of Freshwater Mussels in Large Mobile Basin Streams, USA

摘要: We investigated host fishes, timing and modes of glochidial release, host-attraction strategies for 7 species freshwater mussels from the Buttahatchee Sipsey rivers (Mobile Basin), Alabama Mississippi, USA. determined hosts as fish that produced juvenile laboratory-induced infections. established following primary mussel/host relationships: Elliptio arca with Etheostoma artesiae Percina nigrofasciata; Fusconaia cerina 6 minnows (Cyprinidae); Lampsilis ornata Micropterus salmoides; Medionidus acutissimus 8 darters (Percidae); Obovaria unicolor Ammocrypta beani, A. meridiana ,a ndEth- eostoma artesiae; Pleurobema decisum Cyprinella venusta ;a ndQuadrula asperata Ictalurus punc- tatus. For most mussel species, use was similar to closely related indicating that, in general, this trait is highly conserved at generic level. Four used targeted their specific fish. P. released glochidia conglutinates elicited feeding responses fishes field laboratory. Gravid female M. displayed mantle lures. Host-attraction were less apparent E. Q. asperata, but these association copious mucous secretions, which may serve entangle facilitating infection. No strategy O. unicolor.