Freshwater Mussel Ecology: A Multifactor Approach to Distribution and Abundance (Volume 1) (Freshwater Ecology Series)

"Pearly mussels (Unionoidea) live in lakes, rivers, and streams around the world. These bivalves play important roles in freshwater ecosystems and were once both culturally and economically valuable as sources of food, pearls, and mother-of-pearl. Today, however, hundreds of species of these mussels are extinct or endangered. David L. Strayer provides a critical synthesis of the factors that control the distribution and abundance of pearly mussels. Using empirical analyses and models, he assesses the effects of dispersal, habitat quality, availability of fish hosts, adequate food, predators, and parasites. He also addresses conservation issues that apply to other inhabitants of fresh waters around the globe and other pressing issues in contemporary ecology."--BOOK JACKET Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 8 Part One: The Laboratory......Page 12 1. The Model as Monster......Page 14 2. The Case of Pearly Mussels......Page 20 Part Two: The Monster’s Parts......Page 34 3. Dispersal......Page 36 4. Habitat......Page 54 5. Hosts......Page 76 6. Food......Page 98 7. Enemies......Page 116 8. Implications for Conservation......Page 124 Part Three: Making the Monster Walk......Page 130 9. Three Models for Mussel Ecology......Page 132 10. Is a Comprehensive Model Possible?......Page 154 Literature Cited......Page 168 Index......Page 210 Pearly mussels (Unionoidea) live in lakes, rivers, and streams around the world. These bivalves play important roles in freshwater ecosystems and were once culturally and economically valuable as sources of food, pearls, and mother-of-pearl. This book offers a synthesis of the factors that control the distribution and abundance of pearly mussels.