Microhabitat Associations among Three Federally Threatened and a Common Freshwater Mussel Species

Abstract Although habitat alteration and degradation in riverine systems are the major threats to overall mussel assemblages to date, no or few studies have been able to document significant differences in habitat variables between species. The purpose of this study was to evaluate microhabitat associations of three federally threatened freshwater mussel species, Fusconaia burkei (Walker, 1922) (Tapered Pigtoe), Hamiota australis (Simpson, 1900) (Southern Sandshell), and Pleurobema strodeanum (Wright, 1898) (Fuzzy Pigtoe), and a common mussel species, Elliptio pullata (Lea, 1856) (Gulf Spike), at 3 localities in the Choctawhatchee River watershed in southeast Alabama and northwest Florida. Depth, current velocity, and compaction were measured, and a sediment core sample was collected for each individual mussel encountered. The Kruskal-Wallis H-test was performed to determine differences in each variable measured and each sediment size class among the mussel species at each site, followed by the Mann-Whitn...