Recovery Strategy for the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell in Canada [Proposed] 2006

Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell. Courtesy of Environment Canada.

January 2006

Declaration
Responsible Jurisdictions
Authors
Acknowledgements
Preface
Strategic Environmental Assessment

SARA is the Act developed by the federal government as a key contribution to the common national effort to protect and conserve species at risk in Canada. SARA came into force in 2003 and one of its purposes is "to provide for the recovery of wildlife species that are extirpated, endangered or threatened as a result of human activity."

In the context of species at risk conservation, recovery is the process by which the decline of an endangered, threatened, or extirpated species is arrested or reversed and threats are removed or reduced to improve the likelihood of the species' persistence in the wild. A species will be considered recovered when its long-term persistence in the wild has been secured.

A recovery strategy is a planning document that identifies what needs to be done to arrest or reverse the decline of a species. It sets goals and objectives and identifies the main areas of activities to be undertaken. Detailed planning is done at the action plan stage.

Recovery strategy development is a commitment of all provinces and territories and of three federal agencies -- Environment Canada, Parks Canada Agency, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada -- under the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk. Sections 37–46 of SARA outline both the required content and the process for developing recovery strategies published in this series.

Depending on the status of the species and when it was assessed, a recovery strategy has to be developed within one to two years after the species is added to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk. Three to four years is allowed for those species that were automatically listed when SARA came into force.

In most cases, one or more action plans will be developed to define and guide implementation of the recovery strategy. Nevertheless, directions set in the recovery strategy are sufficient to begin involving communities, land users, and conservationists in recovery implementation. Cost-effective measures to prevent the reduction or loss of the species should not be postponed for lack of full scientific certainty.

This series presents the recovery strategies prepared or adopted by the federal government under SARA. New documents will be added regularly as species get listed and as strategies are updated.

To learn more about the Species at Risk Act and recovery initiatives, please consult the SARA Public Registry and the Web site of the Recovery Secretariat (http://www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca/recovery/).

Morris, T. J. 2006. Recovery Strategy for the Round Hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda, Rafinesque 1820) and the Kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus fasciolaris, Rafinesque 1820) in Canada [Proposed]. In Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Ottawa: Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 47 pp.

You can download additional copies from the SARA Public Registry.

Cover illustrations: courtesy Environment Canada

Également disponible en français sous le titre :

« Stratégie de rétablissement de l'obovarie ronde (Obovaria subrotunda, Rafinesque 1820) et du ptychobranche réniforme (Ptychobranchus fasciolaris, Rafinesque 1820) au Canada »

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, 2006. All rights reserved.

ISBN To come

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Content (excluding the cover illustration) may be used without permission, with appropriate credit to the source.

This proposed recovery strategy for the Round Hickorynut and the Kidneyshell has been prepared in cooperation with the jurisdictions described in the Preface. Fisheries and Oceans Canada has reviewed and accepts this document as its recovery strategy for the Round Hickorynut and the Kidneyshell as required by the Species at Risk Act.

Success in the recovery of these species depends on the commitment and cooperation of many different constituencies that will be involved in implementing the directions set out in this strategy and will not be achieved by Fisheries and Oceans Canada or any other jurisdiction alone. In the spirit of the National Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans invites all Canadians to join Fisheries and Oceans Canada in supporting and implementing this strategy for the benefit of the Round Hickorynut and the Kidneyshell and Canadian society as a whole. Fisheries and Oceans Canada will support implementation of this strategy to the extent possible, given available resources and its overall responsibility for species at risk conservation. The Minister will report on progress within five years.

This strategy will be complemented by one or more action plans that will provide details on specific recovery measures to be taken to support conservation of the species. The Minister will take steps to ensure that, to the extent possible, Canadians interested in or affected by these measures will be consulted.

The responsible jurisdiction for the Round Hickorynut and the Kidneyshell is Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The Round Hickorynut and the Kidneyshell occur in Ontario, and the government of Ontario cooperated in the production of this recovery strategy.

This document was prepared by Todd J. Morris on behalf of the Ontario Freshwater Mussel Recovery Team and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

The Ontario Freshwater Mussel Recovery Team would like to thank the following organizations for their support in the development of the recovery strategy for the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, University of Guelph, University of Toronto/Royal Ontario Museum, McMaster University, Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority, Grand River Conservation Authority, Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, St. Clair Region Conservation Authority, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority and the Walpole Island Heritage Centre.

The Round Hickorynut and the Kidneyshell are freshwater mussels and are under the jurisdiction of the federal government. The Species at Risk Act (SARA, Section 37) requires the competent minister to prepare recovery strategies for listed extirpated, endangered or threatened species. The Hickorynut and the Kidneyshell were listed as Endangered under SARA in May 2003. Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Central and Arctic region led the development of this recovery strategy. The proposed strategy meets SARA requirements in terms of content and process (Sections 39-41). It was developed in cooperation or consultation with:

  1. Jurisdictions – Environment Canada, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
  2. Aboriginal groups – Southern First Nations Secretariate, London Chiefs Council, Walpole Island First Nation, Six Nations of the Grand, Chippewa of Stoney and Kettle Point, Chippewa of Sarnia, Caldwell First Nation, Moravia of Thames First Nation, Chippewa of the Thames, Oneida, Munsey-Delaware First Nation, Mississauga of New Credit First Nation.
  3. Environmental non-government groups – Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority, Grand River Conservation Authority, Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, St. Clair Region Conservation Authority, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, University of Guelph, University of Toronto/Royal Ontario Museum, McMaster University, Iowa State University.

A strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is conducted on all SARA recovery planning documents, in accordance with the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals. The purpose of a SEA is to incorporate environmental considerations into the development of public policies, plans, and program proposals to support environmentally-sound decision making.

Recovery planning is intended to benefit species at risk and biodiversity in general. However, it is recognized that strategies may also inadvertently lead to environmental effects beyond the intended benefits. The recovery planning process based on national guidelines directly incorporates consideration of all environmental effects, with a particular focus on possible impacts on non-target species or habitats. The results of the SEA are incorporated directly in the strategy itself, but are also summarized below.

This recovery strategy will clearly benefit the environment by promoting the recovery of the Round Hickorynut and the Kidneyshell. The potential for the strategy to inadvertently lead to adverse effects on other species was considered. The SEA concluded that this strategy will clearly benefit the environment and will not entail any significant adverse effects. Refer to the following sections of the document in particular: Description of the species' needs – biological needs, ecological role and limiting factors; Effects on other species; and Recommended approach for recovery, as applicable.

Freshwater mussels (Unionidae) are amongst the world's most imperiled taxa with declines reported at global, continental and national scales. Nearly 75% of North America's approximately 300 freshwater mussel species are facing varying degrees of extinction risk. Southern Ontario is home to the largest and most diverse mussel communities in Canada as three quarters of the nation's mussel species can be found in the lower Great Lakes drainage. Three of the largest mussel rivers in this region, the Thames, Grand and Sydenham rivers, have all shown significant declines during the latter half of the last century with species declines totaling 29%, 26% and 12% respectively. Eight species, all with distributions restricted to this region of southwestern Ontario and with current or historic distributions which include these three drainages, have been listed as Endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Two of these species, the Round Hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda) and the Kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus fasciolaris) share common current and historic distributions and are facing similar threats to their continued existence. These two species are considered here in a multispecies recovery strategy developed by the Ontario Freshwater Mussel Recovery Team to facilitate the protection and recovery of both species in Canada.

The Round Hickorynut is a small mussel reaching a maximum size of 60 - 65 mm in Canada. The mussel is readily recognized by its round shape and prominent centrally located, inward curving beaks that are elevated well above the hinge line. The Canadian distribution of this species has always been restricted to southwestern Ontario where it was once found in the Welland, Grand, Sydenham, Thames, St. Clair and Detroit Rivers as well as the waters of Lake St. Clair and western Lake Erie. Declining water quality and the introduction of dreissenid mussels have resulted in a sharp decline in the Canadian distribution of the Round Hickorynut and it is now only found in the waters of the Lake St. Clair delta and a small portion of the East Sydenham River.

The Kidneyshell is a medium to large freshwater mussel that is readily distinguished by its elongate, elliptical shell and yellowish-brown periostracum with wide, interrupted green rays that look like squarish spots. The Kidneyshell has also always had a Canadian distribution limited to southwestern Ontario where it was once found in lakes St. Clair and Erie, as well as the Detroit, Sydenham, Thames, Ausable, Grand, Welland and Niagara rivers. Recent surveys have shown that this distribution has been severely reduced and the Kidneyshell is now limited to the Sydenham and Ausable rivers with a few specimens in the Lake St. Clair delta (COSEWIC 2003b).

Threats to the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell are many and varied although they can be separated into two major groups: those affecting lake populations (i.e. Great Lakes and connecting channels) and those affecting in-land riverine populations. The main reason for the declines in lake populations, and the major current threat to the Lake St. Clair populations of the Round Hickorynut and the Kidneyshell, is the presence of exotic dreissenid mussels. Dreissenid mussels (zebra and quagga mussels) attach to the shells of native mussels and act to inhibit feeding, respiration, excretion and locomotion. The near complete loss of freshwater mussels from the Great Lakes and their connecting channels can be attributed to the detrimental effects of these invasive mussels. As the largest remaining population of the Round Hickorynut is the St. Clair delta population, dreissenid mussels should be seen as the most significant threat to the continued existence of the Round Hickorynut in Canada.

Riverine populations of both mussel species are subject to different threats than the lake populations with the primary threats being declining water quality and a general disappearance of suitable habitat. The two watersheds where these species can still be found are predominantly agricultural with high nutrient and sediment inputs to the watercourse from the adjacent lands. Waters with high sediment loads, particularly when composed of fine sediments like those associated with agricultural run-off, have been shown to cause clogging of the gill structures which can interfere with feeding, respiration and reproduction.

The obligate parasitic nature of the reproductive cycle of these mussels necessitates a consideration of threats to the host fish species as well as the direct threats to the mussel.

This Recovery Strategy was assembled by the Ontario Freshwater Mussel Recovery Team consisting of members from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, University of Guelph, University of Toronto, McMaster University, Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority, Grand River Conservation Authority, Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, St. Clair Region Conservation Authority, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority and the Walpole Island Heritage Centre.

The long-term goals of this recovery strategy are:

  1. to prevent the extirpation of the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell in Canada;
  2. to return healthy self-sustaining populations of Round Hickorynut to the Sydenham River and Lake St. Clair delta and;
  3. to maintain healthy self-sustaining Kidneyshell populations in the Ausable and Sydenham rivers while returning the Lake St. Clair delta population to a self-sustaining level.
  4. to re-establish populations in historically occupied habitats.

These populations can only be considered recovered when they have returned to historically estimated ranges and/or population densities and are showing signs of reproduction and recruitment.

The following specific short term objectives have been identified to assist with meeting the long term goal:

  1. Determine extent, abundance and population demographics of existing populations.
  2. Determine fish hosts and their distributions and abundances.
  3. Define key habitat requirements to identify critical habitat.
  4. Establish a long-term monitoring program for Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell populations, their hosts and the habitat of both.
  5. Identify threats, evaluate their relative importance and implement remedial actions to minimize their impacts.
  6. Examine the feasibility of relocations, reintroductions and the establishment of managed refuge sites.
  7. Increase awareness about the distribution, threats and recovery of these species.

The Recovery Team has identified a variety of approaches that are necessary to meet the recovery objectives. These approaches have been broadly organized into four categories: Research and Monitoring, Management, Stewardship and Awareness.

This Recovery Strategy represents one component of a multi-faceted approach to preserve these endangered mussels. Because of the sedentary nature of mussels and their filter-feeding behaviour, they have a value beyond basic biodiversity in their role as indicators of ecosystem health. Threats that have been indicated as affecting riverine populations may, in most cases, be considered as threats to the aquatic ecosystem in general. Correspondingly, activities directed at mitigating threats to mussels will benefit the aquatic ecosystem as a whole and general ecosystem recovery actions like those proposed in the Sydenham and Ausable river ecosystem recovery strategies (Dextrase et al. 2003; ARRT 2004) will assist with the recovery of the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell.

In addition to the ecosystem recovery planning efforts a number of ongoing research programs will assist with achieving the objectives outlined in this strategy. A team at the University of Guelph has established a research facility to investigate mussel-host relationships and juvenile rearing and has already succeeded in identifying hosts for the Kidneyshell in Canada. A laboratory at the University of Toronto/ Royal Ontario Museum has recently begun to examine the conservation genetics of mussel species at risk. Researchers from the National Water Research Institute of Environment Canada are conducting ongoing surveys for mussel species at risk in southwestern Ontario as well as examining the feasibility of establishing managed refuge sites in the St. Clair delta region. A permanent, long-term monitoring network to track changes in mussels and their habitat has been established in the Sydenham and Thames rivers and will be expanded to the Ausable River. Ongoing stewardship activities have been established through local conservation authorities throughout the ranges of both the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell.

The Round Hickorynut prefers sand and gravel substrates with steady, moderate flows at depths of up to 2 m. Currently occupied habitat for the Round Hickorynut consists of a 12 km² region of the Canadian waters of the St. Clair delta and a 60 km reach of the east Sydenham River from just upstream of Alvinston downstream to Dawn Mills. Historically occupied habitat would include the Thames River from London to Chatham and the Grand River near Dunville. If the impacts of dreissenid mussels can be mitigated then historically occupied areas in the Detroit, St. Clair and Welland rivers as well as the open waters of western Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair may also function as suitable habitat for recovery. The Kidneyshell prefers shallow areas with clear, swift-flowing water and substrates of firmly packed coarse gravel and sand. Currently occupied habitat for this species includes areas that fit this description in the coastal margin of the Lake St. Clair delta, 60 km of the East Sydenham River from Alvinston to Dawn Mills, and approximately 50 km of the Ausable River from Huron Park to Arkona Gorge. Historically occupied habitat for the Kidneyshell includes 50 km of the Lower Grand River from Caledonia to Port Maitland, a small portion of the Welland River, and locations within the Thames River between London and Chatham. Areas in Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair and the Niagara River may also function as future habitat if the influence of dreissenid mussels can be reduced.

The Recovery Team believes that the approaches outlined in this strategy to achieve recovery of the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell are best accomplished through cooperation with the existing ecosystem recovery teams. In watersheds with existing ecosystem teams, implementation of recovery actions should be coordinated to confirm that activities are beneficial to all species at risk and to eliminate the possible duplication of efforts. Where ecosystem teams are absent, Recovery Implementation Groups may be struck to facilitate the carrying out of recovery actions. Evaluation of the success of recovery actions will be achieved primarily through the routine monitoring programs established to track changes in population demographics and habitat, however, RIGs will also incorporate specific milestones into Recovery Action Plans. The entire Recovery Strategy will be reassessed after 5 years to evaluate the progress towards achieving the goals and objectives and to incorporate new information.

Freshwater mussels are among the world's most imperiled taxa with declines reported on a global scale (Bogan 1993; Lydeard et al. 2004). The rich unionid fauna of North America has been hit particularly hard with over 70% of the approximately 300 species showing evidence of declines with many now considered rare, endangered, threatened or imperiled (Allan and Flecker 1993; Williams et al. 1993). Canada is home to 55 unionid species, 41 of which can be found in the province of Ontario with 18 species having Canadian distributions restricted to this province. The rivers of southwestern Ontario, primarily those draining into Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie, are home to the richest unionid assemblages in Canada. The Sydenham River has historically been considered to be the richest unionid river in all of Canada (Clarke 1992) with a total species count of 34 (Metcalfe-Smith et al. 2003), however, recent evidence suggests that the Grand (Metcalfe-Smith et al. 2000) and Thames rivers (pers. comm. J. Metcalfe-Smith, National Water Research Institute, Burlington, Ontario), also with historic species counts of 34, were equally diverse.

Despite the historic richness of these rivers, recent events have led to significant declines in the unionid communities of southwestern Ontario. Intensive agricultural activity, expanding urbanization and the introduction of invasive dreissenid mussels (zebra (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga (Dreissena bugensis) mussels) have all been implicated in large scale declines observed in freshwater mussel populations over the last two to three decades (Nalepa 1994; Metcalfe-Smith et al. 2000; Metcalfe-Smith et al. 2003). During this time 4 species have been lost from the Sydenham River, 10 species have disappeared from the Thames River and the community of the Grand River has been reduced by 9 species. These declines, coupled with the near complete collapse of the Great Lakes populations (Nalepa et al. 1996), have led to the listing of 8 Ontario mussel species as endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife In Canada (COSEWIC).

The Ontario Freshwater Mussel Recovery Team (OFMRT) was formed in the spring of 2003 to address concerns about the status of Ontario's freshwater mussel populations and to begin to address the recovery planning obligations under Canada's new Species at Risk Act (SARA). The National Recovery Strategy for the Round Hickorynut and the Kidneyshell was developed by the OFMRT using the best available information in an effort to reduce the threats, prevent their extirpation and, if possible, to restore these species to healthy, self-sustaining levels. In recognition of the degree of overlap between these species in both their historical and current distributions, as well as the commonality of threats, the OFMRT has adopted a multi-species approach to the recovery of these species.

  1. Species Information – Round Hyckorynut
  2. Species Information – Kidneyshell
  3. Threats
  4. Habitat – Round Hyckorynut
  5. Habitat – Kidneyshell
  6. Habitat Trend
  7. Habitat Protection
  8. Ecological Role
  9. Importance to People
  10. Knowledge Gaps
  11. Biological and Technical Feasibility of Recovery

COSEWIC Assessment Summary: May 2003

Common Name: Round Hickorynut

Scientific Name: Obovaria subrotunda

COSEWIC Status: Endangered

COSEWIC Reason for designation: This species has been lost from 90% of its former range in Canada. Populations in the Grand and Thames rivers are extirpated and populations in the Sydenham River are declining, all due to the combined effects of pollution and agricultural impacts. Most of the Great Lakes populations have been lost due to impacts of the zebra mussel, and the remaining population in the St. Clair delta near Walpole Island may be at risk. If the Eastern Sand Darter were the host of this species, then the decline of this threatened fish would affect the mussel's survival.

Occurrence: Ontario

COSEWIC Status history: Designated Endangered in 2003.

The Round Hickorynut is one of only 6 species in the genus Obovaria. Only two of these species, O. subrotunda, and O. olivaria, have distributions which extend into Canada where both species are restricted to the Lower Great Lakes/St. Lawrence River drainage. The Round Hickorynut is considered globally secure (G4) and nationally secure (N4) within the United States although the American Fisheries Society has listed it as a species of special concern. The species is beginning to show declines across its entire American distribution. It is considered endangered within Michigan and is believed to be extirpated from Illinois (G. Kruse, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, pers. comm. February, 2004)) and New York (D. Strayer, Institute of Ecosystem Studies, pers. comm., February 2004). In Canada, the Round Hickorynut is considered critically imperiled (N1) and was designated as endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada in 2003. The Canadian distribution of this species has always been restricted to southwestern Ontario where it was once found in the Welland, Grand, Sydenham, Thames, St. Clair and Detroit Rivers as well as the waters of Lake St. Clair and western Lake Erie. Declining water quality and the introduction of dreissenid mussels have resulted in a sharp decline in the Canadian distribution of the Round Hickorynut and it is now only found in the waters of the Lake St. Clair delta and a small portion of the East Sydenham River.

The Round Hickorynut is a small mussel reaching a maximum size of 60 - 65 mm in Canada. The mussel is readily recognized by its round shape and prominent centrally located, inward curving beaks that are elevated well above the hinge line. Beak sculpture is slight, consisting of 4 to 5 weak double bars which are sinuous centrally and angled posteriorly (Parmalee and Bogan 1998). The shell is generally dark in colour ranging from olive-brown to dark brown and is relatively smooth except for prominent growth rests. The posterior slope is often distinctly lighter than the rest of the shell (COSEWIC 2003a) (Figure 1). The hinge teeth of this species are heavy and strong. The left valve has two thick, roughened, triangular pseudocardinal teeth and two slightly curved, short, strong lateral teeth. The right valve has one large, massive serrated triangular pseudocardinal tooth, usually with a small, low compressed tubercular tooth on either side. There is one short, curved, thick, roughened lateral tooth and often an incomplete secondary lateral tooth in the right valve (Parmalee and Bogan 1988).

Figure 1: Two Round Hickorynut specimens from the Lake St. Clair delta. Note the characteristic lightening of the posterior slope. Photo credit: D. McGoldrick, Environment Canada.
Global Range

The global distribution of the Round Hickorynut is restricted to eastern North America (Figure 2). In the United States the Round Hickorynut is considered nationally secure but is showing declines across its range. This species is historically known from the Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland and Mississippi River systems as well as the St. Lawrence, Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair drainages. It is currently found in Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tenessee and West Virginia and is believed to have been extirpated from New York and Illinois. In Canada the Round Hickorynut is considered critically imperiled, classified as endangered by COSEWIC and found only in southwestern Ontario.

Figure 2: Global distribution of the Round Hickorynut (modified from Parmalee and Bogan 1998)
Canadian Range

In Canada, the Round Hickorynut is historically known from the waters of western Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair and the Welland, Grand, Thames, Sydenham and Detroit Rivers (COSEWIC 2003a). Since 1996, live specimens have only been reported from the Sydenham River and Lake St. Clair (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Distribution of the Round Hickorynut in Canada. Current distribution reflects surveys since 1996.
Percent of Global Range in Canada

Approximately 1% of the global range of this species occurs in Canada.

Distribution Trend

Since the invasion of the Great Lakes by dreissenid mussels the Canadian geographical distribution for this species has been reduced by 90%.

Global Range

In the United States the Round Hickorynut is seldom a significant component of the mussel community, typically representing between 0.1 and 1.4% of the species present (COSEWIC 2003a).

Canadian Range

The largest Canadian population of the Round Hickorynut occurs in the delta region of Lake St. Clair where it comprises 0.011% of the overall mussel community and occurs at a density of 0.0006/m². In the Sydenham River the Round Hickorynut represents approximately 0.0024% of the mussel community.

Percent of Global Abundance in Canada

Less than 1% of the global abundance of this species occurs in Canada.

Population Trend

It is estimated that the population of Round Hickorynut in Canada has declined by 90% since the invasion of the Great Lakes by dreissenid mussels. This estimate is based on the number of historical records that occur in waters that now contain dreissenid mussels.

Reproductive Attributes

The reproductive biology of the Round Hickorynut follows the general reproductive biology of most unionid mussels. During spawning, male mussels release sperm into the water column and females filter it out of the water with their gills. Fertilization is then able to occur in specialized regions of the gills known as marsupia. Immature juveniles, known as glochidia, develop in the gill marsupia and are released by the female into the water column to undergo a period of parasitism on a suitable host fish species. Further development to the juvenile stage can not continue without a period of encystment on the host. The hookless glochidia become encysted on the gills of the host and are encapsulated in a fluid filled sac where they are nourished by the host until they metamorphose and break free, settling to the substrate to begin life as free-living juveniles. The host fish species for the Round Hickorynut has not been confirmed for Canadian populations although 5 host species have been identified in the United States. These 5 species include: varigate darter (Etheostoma variatum); frecklebelly darter (Percina stictogaster); speckled darter (E. stigmaeum); greenside darter (E. blennioides); and emerald darter (E. baileyi) (M. McGregor, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, pers. comm., January 2004). Only the greenside darter is found in Canada where its range appears to be expanding. Interestingly, the known current and historic range of the greenside darter does not completely overlap with the historic range of the Round Hickorynut (i.e., greenside darters are not known from the Grand River prior to 1990 and no records exist for this species from the Welland River or Lake Erie (A. Dextrase, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough, pers. comm.)) suggesting the existence of an additional host. Round Hickorynuts are known to be gravid between September and June and may be using host fish during this time.

Dispersal

Like most native freshwater mussels, Round Hickorynut adults are essentially sessile with movement limited to only a few meters on the river/lake bottom. Although adult movement can be directed upstream or downstream, studies have found a net downstream movement through time (Balfour and Smock 1995; Villella et al. 2004). The primary means for large scale dispersal, upstream movement, and the invasion of new habitat or evasion of deteriorating habitat, is limited to the encysted glochidial stage on the host fish.

COSEWIC Assessment Summary: May 2003

Common Name: Kidneyshell

Scientific Name: Ptychobranchus fasciolaris

COSEWIC Status: Endangered

COSEWIC Reason for designation: This species has been lost from about 70% of its historical range in Canada due to impacts of the zebra mussel and land use practices. It is now restricted to the East Sydenham and Ausable rivers. Although both populations appear to be reproducing, there is evidence that abundance has declined in the East Sydenham River. Agricultural impacts, including siltation, have eliminated populations in the Grand and Thames rivers, and threaten the continued existence of this species in Canada.

Occurrence: Ontario

COSEWIC Status history: Designated Endangered in 2003.

The Kidneyshell (Figure 4) is one of 5 members of the genus Ptychobranchus that occur in North America, however, it is the only member of the genus with a distribution that extends into Canada. The species is considered globally secure (G4) and is listed by the American Fisheries Society as being stable within the United States although, in Canada, the Kidneyshell was designated as endangered by COSEWIC in 2003. The Kidneyshell has always had a Canadian distribution limited to southwestern Ontario where it was once found in lakes St. Clair and Erie, as well as the Detroit, Sydenham, Thames, Ausable, Grand, Welland and Niagara rivers. Recent surveys have shown that this distribution has been reduced and the Kidneyshell is now limited to the Sydenham and Ausable rivers with a few scattered specimens in the Lake St. Clair delta.

The Kidneyshell is a medium to large freshwater mussel that is readily distinguished by its elongate, elliptical shell and yellowish-brown periostracum with wide, interrupted green rays that look like squarish spots (Figure 4). The type locality is the Muskingham River, Ohio. The following description of the species, reported in COSEWIC (2003b), was adapted from Clarke (1981), Strayer and Jirka (1997) and Parmalee and Bogan (1998). The shell is solid, heavy and compressed, and may have a humped shape in old individuals. The anterior end is rounded and the posterior end is bluntly pointed. Beak sculpture is poorly developed, consisting of several fine, indistinct wavy ridges. The surface of the shell (periostracum) ranges in colour from yellowish to yellowish-green, yellowish-brown, or medium brown, with generally distributed broad, interrupted green rays; the shells of old specimens may be a dark chestnut brown and rayless. The periostracum is unsculptured except for coarse growth rests and a roughened posterior slope. The nacre is generally white or bluish white, but may be pinkish in young specimens. The hinge teeth are heavy. The left valve has two low, thick, serrated triangular pseudocardinal teeth and two lateral teeth that are short, nearly straight, and usually widely separated. The right valve has one somewhat compressed and pyramidal elevated tooth and one wide, elongated and serrated lateral tooth. The lateral teeth are almost pendulous distally, which is a good distinguishing feature. The interdentum is wide and the beak cavity is shallow. Females have a conspicuous groove on the inside of the shell that runs diagonally from the beak cavity towards the posterioventral end; this groove corresponds to the marsupium (COSEWIC 2003b).

Figure 4: Two kidneyshell specimens from the Sydenham River. Note the characteristic squarish spots. Photo credit: T. Morris, Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Global Range

In the United States, the Kidneyshell is currently found in Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi and Illinois.

Figure 5: Global distribution of the Kidneyshell (modified from Parmalee and Bogan 1998)
Canadian Range

In Canada, the Kidneyshell is found only in southwestern Ontario. Since 1997, live specimens have only been reported from the Ausable River, Sydenham River, and Lake St. Clair.

Figure 6: Distribution of the Kidneyshell in Canada. Current distribution reflects surveys since 1997.
Percent of Global Range in Canada

Less than 5% of the global range of this species occurs in Canada.

Distribution Trend

Since the invasion of the Great Lakes by dreissenid mussels the Canadian geographical distribution for this species has been reduced by 70%.

Global Range

In the United States the Kidneyshell is seldom a significant component of the mussel community but may be locally abundant. It usually represents on average 2.5% (0.2-8.0%) of the mussel community in rivers but at individual sites where it is found the Kidneyshell may account for more than 10% of the community.

Canadian Range

The largest Canadian population of the Kidneyshell occurs in the Ausable River where it comprises 1.5% of the overall mussel community. In the Sydenham River it occurs in an average estimated density of 0.12/m² at sites where it was found alive. In the Lake St. Clair delta Kidneyshells comprised only 0.3% of the overall mussel community (COSEWIC 2003b).

Percent of Global Abundance in Canada

Less than 5% of the global abundance of this species occurs in Canada.

Population Trend

It is estimated that the population of Kidneyshell in Canada has declined by 70% since the invasion of the Great Lakes by dreissenid mussels. This estimate is based on the number of historical records that occur in waters that now contain dreissenid mussels.

Reproductive Attributes

The reproductive biology of the Kidneyshell follows the general reproductive biology of most unionid mussels. During spawning, male mussels release sperm into the water column and females filter it out of the water with their gills. Fertilization is then able to occur in specialized regions of the gills known as marsupia. Immature juveniles, known as glochidia, develop in the gill marsupia and are released by the female into the water column to undergo a period of parasitism on a suitable host fish species. Further development to the juvenile stage can not continue without a period of encystment on the host. Members of the genus Ptychobranchus have evolved a specialized method of delivering glochidia designed to increase the likelihood of encountering a suitable host. The glochidia are released in mucous encased packages termed conglutinates which have been shown to resemble fish fry complete with eye spots, or benthic invertebrates such as chironomids. These two forms represent prey items of the host species and stimulate the feeding instincts of the host resulting in an active uptake into the mouth where the conglutinates rupture, releasing glochidia in close proximity to the gills of the host. The hookless glochidia become encysted on the gills of the host and are encapsulated in a fluid filled sac where they are nourished by the host until they metamorphose and break free, settling to the substrate to begin life as free-living juveniles. Three glochidial host fishes have been identified for the Kidneyshell in Canada: blackside darter (Percina maculata); fantail darter (Etheostoma flabellare); johnny darter (E. nigrum) (McNichols and Mackie 2004). In Canada, Kidneyshells are known to be gravid between September and November and encystment has been shown to last up to 60 days resulting in the potential for encysted glochidia on the host fishes anytime between September and January (McNichols and Mackie 2004).

Dispersal

Like most native freshwater mussels, Kidneyshell adults are essentially sessile with movement limited to only a few meters on the river/lake bottom. Although adult movement can be directed upstream or downstream, studies have found a net downstream movement through time (Balfour and Smock 1995; Villella et al. 2004). The primary means for large scale dispersal, upstream movement, and the invasion of new habitat or evasion of deteriorating habitat, is limited to the encysted glochidial stage on the host fish.

The Round Hickorynut and the Kidneyshell, like most mussel species, are sensitive to a wide variety of stressors including exotic species, poor water quality resulting from point (industrial and residential discharge) and non-point (herbicide, pesticide and surface run-off) sources, loss of host fish species, impoundments, siltation/sedimentation, predation and urbanization. The following discussion of threats focuses on those threats which are specific to the two remaining populations of the Round Hickorynut (St. Clair delta, Sydenham River) and three remaining populations of the Kidneyshell (St. Clair delta, Sydenham River, Ausable River) although it is likely that all of the stressors listed previously have contributed to the decline of these species in Canada.

St. Clair Delta Population

The introduction and spread of the exotic zebra and quagga mussels throughout the Great Lakes basin has resulted in steep declines of native mussel species (Schloesser et al. 1996). These invasive mussels are known to attach to the shells of unionids and can cause death by interfering with feeding, respiration, excretion and locomotion (Haag et al. 1993; Baker and Hornbach 1997). COSEWIC (2003b) reported that 64% of the Canadian sites where the Round Hickorynut was historically found are now infested with zebra mussels rendering much of the habitat unsuitable for unionids. The St. Clair delta population occurs in waters inhabited by zebra mussels and Round Hickorynuts were found in areas with relatively high zebra mussel infestation rates (D. McGoldrick, National Water Research Institute, Environment Canada, pers. comm., October 2003). It is not known why the mussels of the St. Clair delta have survived when other areas in Lake St. Clair have been devastated by the zebra mussel invasion (Nalepa et al. 1996) nor is it known if this population will persist (Zanatta et al. 2002). The St. Clair delta Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell populations are very small with only 9 Round Hickorynuts and 1 Kidneyshell detected during sampling of nearly 15,000 in 2003 (Metcalfe-Smith et al. 2004)). These populations are dominated by relatively large, older individuals indicating poor reproductive success with the possibility of frequent year-class failure (COSEWIC 2003b).

Sydenham and Ausable River Populations
Water Quality

The Sydenham River flows through an area of prime agricultural land in southwestern Ontario and over 85% of the land in the watershed is in agricultural use with 60% of land in tile drainage (Staton et al. 2003). Large areas of the river have little to no riparian vegetation as only 12% of the original forest cover remains. Strayer and Fetterman (1999) identified high sediment and nutrient loads and toxic chemicals from non-point sources, especially agricultural activities, as the primary threat to riverine mussels. Agricultural lands, particularly those with little riparian vegetation and large amounts of tile drain, allow large inputs of sediments to the watercourse. In the case of tile drained land, the sediment input is often of a very fine grain which can clog the gill structures of mussels resulting in decreased feeding and respiration rates and reductions in growth efficiency. The Sydenham River has historically shown high nutrient levels with total phosphorus levels consistently exceeding provincial water quality levels over the last 30 years while chloride levels have shown recent inclines due to an increased use of road salt (Staton et al. 2003).

Agriculture is also the dominant land-use within the Ausable River basin with over 80% of the land in agricultural use and 71% of the land area in tile drainage (Nelson et al. 2003). Suspended sediment levels are high throughout the river with levels in the lower main channel consistently exceeding those required to maintain good fisheries (Nelson et al. 2003). Nutrient levels (N, P, un-ionized ammonia) regularly exceed provincial Water Quality Objectives for the protection of wildlife and Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment guidelines. Recent evidence has shown that juvenile mussels are among the most sensitive aquatic organisms to ammonia toxicity (Mummert et al. 2003; Newton 2003; Newton et al. 2003).

Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the East Sydenham River typically average about 10 mg/L however levels at all four Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Stations in this basin have dropped as low as 5 mg/L during the last 35 years (Jacques Whitford Environment Ltd. 2001). Over the same time period, DO levels in the Ausable River have on occasion fallen to comparable levels (2-3 mg/L) (Nelson et al. 2003). Johnson et al. (2001) have found mussel survival rates are closely related to DO levels while Tetzloff (2001) reported massive mussel die-offs in Big Darby Creek, Ohio, following a low oxygen event resulting from a chemical spill. Kidneyshells were one of the most sensitive species to these conditions with greater than 95% mortality, much of it coming rapidly after the onset of low oxygen conditions. Three years after the low O2 event many of the affected species have still not recovered to pre-event levels (pers. comm., J. Tetzloff, Darby Creek Association Inc., March 2004).

Water Quantity

Hydrologic regimes can affect mussels in a number of ways. High flow conditions can cause dislodgement and passive transport of mussels from areas of suitable habitat into areas of lesser or marginal habitat. Neither the Round Hickorynut nor the Kidneyshell show the typical shell adaptations associated with resistance to scour and shear stress associated with hydrologically flashy rivers (pustules, ridges, fluting) (Watters 1994). In contrast to the dislodgement associated with high flows, low flows can result in depressed dissolved oxygen levels, desiccation, and elevated temperatures. In a study of drought conditions in relation to mussel survival, Johnson et al. (2001) identified the need for instream flow protection as a critical issue for mussel conservation and protection in the southwestern U.S. Low flow events in the Ausable River often result in the stranding of mussels.

Host Fish

The Round Hickorynut is an obligate parasite unable to complete its early life stages without a suitable host. The host species for the Round Hickorynut has not yet been confirmed in Canada although evidence indicates the greenside darter (see Reproductive Attributes section) likely functions as a Canadian host. Clark (1977) also noticed an association between the Round Hickorynut and the eastern sand darter (Ammocrypta pellucida) suggesting a possible host relationship although this species has not been formally tested (M. McGregor, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, pers. comm., January 2004). The greenside darter is considered a species of special concern in Canada where it is found in both the Sydenham River and Lake St. Clair although it is believed to be relatively abundant and stable in the Sydenham River (Dextrase et al. 2003).The eastern sand darter is listed as a threatened species in Canada but can be found in the East Sydenham River in areas where the Round Hickorynut persists. Siltation resulting from agricultural activities has been cited as one of the main reasons for the decline of the eastern sand darter (Holm and Mandrak 1996).

Three species have been identified as hosts for the Kidneyshell: blackside darter; fantail darter; johnny darter (McNichols and Mackie 2004). Recent surveys have shown that johnny darters and blackside darters are abundant throughout the Ausable (Nelson et al. 2003) and Sydenham rivers (N. Mandrak, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Burlington, pers. comm., March 2004) while fantail darters are neither abundant nor widespread in either system. If johnny darters or blackside darters are acting as a host for wild populations in the Ausable or Sydenham rivers then host limitation should not be a primary cause of the observed declines. Only a heavy reliance on the fantail darter as the host would appear to place these species in danger of being host-limited.

Any threats that affect the host species' abundance, movements, or behaviour during the period of glochidial release must be considered as threats to these mussels as well. For example, the invasive round goby has been implicated in the following declines of native benthic fish species in the lower Great Lakes: 1) logperch (Percina caprodes) and mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi) populations in the St. Clair River (French and Jude 2001); 2) johnny darter (Etheostoma nigrum), logperch, and trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus) in Lake St. Clair (Thomas and Haas 2004); and, 3) channel darter (P. copelandi), fantail darter (E. flabellare), greenside darter (E. blenniodes), johnny darter, and logperch in the Bass Islands, western Lake Erie (Baker 2005). Index trawling data from 1987 to 2004 (unpublished data, Lake Erie Fisheries Assessment Unit MNR) indicate that similar declines have occurred in the Inner Bay of Long Point Bay and the western basin of Lake Erie. Potential causes include goby predation on eggs and juveniles, competition for food and habitat, and interference competition for nests (French and Jude 2001, Janssen and Jude 2001). The round goby poses a real threat to host fish populations and could seriously impact the future survival and recovery of Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell populations.

Table 1: Assessment of threats to extant populations of the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell.
St. Clair delta and Sydenham River threats apply to Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell populations. Ausable River threats apply only to the Kidneyshell population in the Ausable River.
Threat Relative Impact
predominant/ contributing
Spatial/Temporal
widespread/local
chronic/ephemeral
Certainty
probable/speculative/unknown
St. Clair delta Sydenham River Ausable River St. Clair delta Sydenham River Ausable River St. Clair delta Sydenham River Ausable River
Dreissenid mussels predominant - - widespread chronic - - probable - -
Siltation - predominant predominant - widespread chronic widespread chronic - probable probable
Water quality – nutrients & contaminants contributing contributing contributing widespread
chronic
widespread
chronic
widespread
chronic
speculative probable probable
Water quantity - contributing contributing - widespread ephemeral widespread ephemeral - speculative speculative
Decline of host fish contributing contributing - widespread
chronic
widespread
chronic
- speculative speculative -
Urbanization - contributing contributing - local
chronic
local
chronic
- speculative speculative
Impoundments - contributing - - local
chronic
- - unknown -
Predation - contributing contributing - local
ephemeral
local
ephemeral
- unknown unknown
Welland River

A single record exists for the Round Hickorynut in the Welland River consisting of a single shell collected in 1931 by an unidentified collector (COSEWIC 2003a). Its current status in this river is unknown. The small 880 km² watershed of this river is dominated by rural land-uses and the river is subject to many of the same disturbances seen in the larger rural watersheds of southwestern Ontario which have contributed to the decline of freshwater mussels in these systems (A. Mack, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, pers. comm. February 2004). Intensive agricultural activity coupled with extensive tile drainage and reduced riparian vegetation has resulted in high sediment inputs to the river, increased turbidity, elevated nutrient and bacterial levels and an overall reduction in the quantity and quality of aquatic habitat (Central Welland River Watershed Plan).

Grand and Thames Rivers

The existence of the Round Hickorynut in the Grand River is indicated by three shells collected between 1966 and 1972 (COSEWIC 2003a). The Kidneyshell was probably more abundant in the Grand River than the Round Hickorynut as it was historically reported from 7 sites along a 50 km stretch between Caledonia and Port Maitland (COSEWIC 2003b). Recent surveys indicated no sign of live individuals of either species at 95 sites throughout the main channel and tributaries suggesting that the species may have been extirpated from the Grand River for an extended period of time. Like the Grand River population, the Thames River Round Hickorynut population is believed to have been lost as early as the turn of the 20th century (COSEWIC 2003a) with no live specimens collected since 1894. Several fresh shells of the Kidneyshell have been collected from the Thames River between London and Chatham as recently as 1997, however live specimens have never been collected (COSEWIC 2003b).

It is difficult to attribute a cause to the historic loss of populations such as those in the Grand and Thames Rivers although untreated wastewater inputs from major urban centres in these watersheds likely contributed to the declines.

Lake St. Clair, Detroit River, Lake Erie and Niagara River

The loss of the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell from historical habitat in these water bodies can be largely attributed to the detrimental effects of zebra mussels. Although, there is some indication that the Lake Erie population of the Round Hickorynut was in decline in the first half of the last century and may have been extirpated as early as 1950 (COSEWIC 2003a). Dreissenid mussels, however, pose the greatest limitation on recovery in these areas.

The Round Hickorynut is typically found in medium-sized to large rivers (van der Schalie 1938; Strayer 1983; Parmalee and Bogan 1998), but is also known from Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair (Clarke 1981; Strayer and Jirka 1997). The preferred habitat of the Round Hickorynut is generally described as sand and gravel substrates with steady, moderate flows at depths of up to 2 m (Ortmann 1919; Gordon and Layzer 1989; Parmalee and Bogan 1998). In southeastern Michigan, however, it has mainly been found in turbid, low-gradient, hydrologically unstable rivers with clay/sand or clay/gravel substrates (van der Schalie 1938; Strayer 1983). In Lake St. Clair, O. subrotunda currently occupies shallow (<1 m) nearshore areas with firm, sandy substrates (Zanatta et al. 2002).

Geospatial Description

Habitat in need of conservation for the Kidneyshell has been geospatially located using the methods developed by McGoldrick et al (2005) (Figures 7 and 8) who recommend using the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resource's Aquatic Landscape Inventory Software (ALIS version 1) (Stanfield and Kuyvenhoven 2005) as the base unit for definition of important habitat within riverine systems. The ALIS system employs a valley classification approach to define river segments with similar habitat and continuity on the basis of hydrography, surficial geology, slope, position, upstream drainage area, climate, landcover and the presence of instream barriers. For Great Lakes populations where ALIS segments can not be employed, McGoldrick et al (2005) recommend using a 5km buffer around known species occurrences. The 5 km buffer was selected in light of the spatial extent of historic sampling within Lake St. Clair. Within all identified river segments the width of the habitat zone is defined as the area from the mid-channel point to bankfull width on both the left and right banks.

Figure 7: Currently Occupied habitat zone for the Round Hickorynut in the Sydenham River. Areas within this zone matching the functional description should be considered habitat in need of conservation.
Functional Description

Within the area defined under Currently Occupied Habitat only areas meeting the characteristics described below are deemed to represent habitat in need of conservation:

Activities Likely to Impact Currently Occupied Habitat

The Currently Occupied Habitat of the Kidneyshell could be negatively affected by a variety of activities. Direct destruction could result from in-stream activities such as dredging, bridge and pipeline crossings or the construction of dams. Habitat could also be negatively affected by any land-based activities that affect water quality or quantity. Such activities would include, but are not limited to, the input of nutrients, sediment and toxic substances through improperly treated storm water, cultivation of riparian lands, unfettered access of livestock to the river, channelization and drainage works, water taking, aggregate extraction, and the release of improperly treated sewage.

Figure 8: Currently Occupied habitat zone for the Round Hickorynut in the Lake St. Clair delta. Areas within this zone matching the functional description should be considered habitat in need of conservation.

When dealing with freshwater mussels it is necessary to consider not only the physical and chemical components of habitat but also the biological. Any activity which disrupts the connectivity between Kidneyshell populations and their host species (see section on Reproduction) may result in the destruction of habitat. Activities which may disrupt the mussel-host relationship include, but are not limited to, damming, dewatering and sport or commercial harvest. Note that activities occurring outside the Currently Occupied Habitat zone may affect the host population within the zone (e.g., downstream damming activites may prevent the movement of fish into the zone during the period of mussel reproduction (September 1 – January 1)). Any activity that impacts a host population within an area of Currently Occupied Habitat should be evaluated to ensure that the reproductive cycle is not disrupted.

Historically occupied habitat is defined as all areas where the Round Hickorynut is known to have once occurred but is no longer found. Evidence for occurrence may be through records of historically collected live individuals or shells or through recent collects of weathered shells. Historically occupied habitat includes a 40km stretch of the Sydenham River from below Alvinston downstream to Florence, the Thames River from London to Chatham and the Grand River near Dunville. Historically occupied areas in the Detroit River, Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair may function as recovery habitat if the impacts of dreissenid mussels can be mitigated.

The identification of critical habitat requires a thorough knowledge of the species needs during all life stages as well as an understanding of thedistribution, quantity, and quality of habitat across the range of the species. At present, this information is not available for the Kidneyshell although Table 2 outlines activities that would assist with obtaining the required information. The activities listed in Table 4 are not exhaustive but outline the range and scope of actions identified by the Recovery Team as necessary to identify critical habitat for the round kidneyshell. It is likely that the process of investigating the actions in Table 2 will lead to the discovery of further knowledge gaps that will have to be addressed. Until critical habitat can be defined the recovery team has identified the areas listed in the Currently Occupied Habitat section as areas in need of conservation.

Table 2: Schedule of activities to identify critical habitat
Activity Approximate Timeframe1
Conduct mussel population surveys
2006-2008
Assess habitat conditions in occupied areas (e.g., flow, substrate, water clarity and quality)
2006-2008
Determine any life stage differences in habitat use
2007-2009
Survey and map areas of suitable but unused habitat within historical range
2008-2010
Assess genetic structure of populations
2006-2008
Determine host fish species
2006
Conduct host fish population surveys
2006-2008
Assess habitat use by host species
2006-2008
Determine areas of overlap between mussel and host habitat
2009-2010

1 timeframes are subject to change as new priorities arise or as a result of changing demands on resources or personnel

The Kidneyshell prefers shallow areas with clear, swift-flowing water and substrates of firmly-packed coarse gravel and sand. In the Great Lakes it has been found on gravel shoals in Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair.

Geospatial Description

Habitat in need of conservation for the Kidneyshell has been geospatially located using the methods developed by McGoldrick et al (2005) (Figures 9 and 10) who recommend using the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resource's Aquatic Landscape Inventory Software (ALIS version 1) (Stanfield and Kuyvenhoven 2005) as the base unit for definition of important habitat within riverine systems. The ALIS system employs a valley classification approach to define river segments with similar habitat and continuity on the basis of hydrography, surficial geology, slope, position, upstream drainage area, climate, landcover and the presence of instream barriers. For Great Lakes populations where ALIS segments can not be employed, McGoldrick et al (2005) recommend using a 5km buffer around known species occurrences. The 5 km buffer was selected in light of the spatial extent of historic sampling within Lake St. Clair. Within all identified river segments the width of the habitat zone is defined as the area from the mid-channel point to bankfull width on both the left and right banks.

Figure 9: Currently occupied habitat zone of the Kidneyshell in the Sydenham and Ausable rivers. Areas within this zone matching the functional description should be considered habitat in need of conservation.
Functional Description

Within the area defined under Currently Occupied Habitat areas meeting the characteristics described below are deemed to represent habitat in need of conservation:

Activities Likely to Impact Currently Occupied Habitat

The Currently Occupied Habitat of the Kidneyshell could be negatively affected by a variety of activities. Direct destruction could result from in-stream activities such as dredging, bridge and pipeline crossings or the construction of dams. Habitat could also be negatively affected by any land-based activities that affect water quality or quantity. Such activities would include, but are not limited to, the input of nutrients, sediment and toxic substances through improperly treated storm water, cultivation of riparian lands, unfettered access of livestock to the river, channelization and drainage works, water taking, aggregate extraction, and the release of improperly treated sewage.

When dealing with freshwater mussels it is necessary to consider not only the physical and chemical components of habitat but also the biological. Any activity which disrupts the connectivity between Kidneyshell populations and their host species (see section on Reproduction) may result in the destruction of habitat. Activities which may disrupt the mussel-host relationship include, but are not limited to, damming, dewatering and sport or commercial harvest. Note that activities occurring outside the Currently Occupied Habitat zone may affect the host population within the zone (e.g., downstream damming activities may prevent the movement of fish into the zone during the period of mussel reproduction (September 1 – January 1)). Any activity that impacts a host population within an area of Currently Occupied Habitat should be evaluated to ensure that the reproductive cycle is not disrupted.

Figure 10: Currently occupied habitat zone of the Kidneyshell in the Lake St Clair delta. Areas within this zone matching the functional description should be considered habitat in need of conservation.

Historically occupied habitat is defined as all areas where the Kidneyshell is known to have once occurred but is no longer found. Evidence for occurrence may be through records of historically collected live individuals or shells or through recent collects of weathered shells. Historically Occupied Habitat for the Kidneyshell includes a 50 km of the Lower Grand River from Caledonia to Port Maitland, a small portion of the Welland River, and a stretch of the Thames River between London and Chatham. Historically occupied areas in the Detroit River, Lake Erie and Niagara River will only function as potential recovery habitat if the impacts of dreissenid mussels can be eliminated.

The identification of critical habitat requires a thorough knowledge of the species needs during all life stages as well as an understanding of the distribution, quantity, and quality of habitat across the range of the species. At present, this information is not available for the Kidneyshell although Table 3 outlines activities that would assist with obtaining the required information. The activities listed in Table 4 are not exhaustive but outline the range and scope of actions identified by the Recovery Team as necessary to identify critical habitat for the round kidneyshell. It is likely that the process of investigating the actions in Table 3 will lead to the discovery of further knowledge gaps that will have to be addressed. Until critical habitat can be defined the recovery team has identified the areas listed in the Currently Occupied Habitat section as areas in need of conservation.

Table 3: Schedule of activities to identify critical habitat
Activity Approximate Timeframe1
Conduct mussel population surveys
2006-2008
Assess habitat conditions in occupied areas (e.g., flow, substrate, water clarity and quality)
2006-2008
Determine any life stage differences in habitat use
2007-2009
Survey and map areas of suitable but unused habitat within historical range
2008-2010
Assess genetic structure of populations
2006-2008
Determine host fish species
2006
Conduct host fish population surveys
2006-2008
Assess habitat use by host species
2006-2008
Determine areas of overlap between mussel and host habitat
2009-2010

1 timeframes are subject to change as new priorities arise or as a result of changing demands on resources or personnel

Habitats for the Round Hickorynut, Kidneyshell and other unionids in Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair have been largely destroyed by dreissenid mussels. Native mussel communities were virtually extirpated from the offshore waters of western Lake Erie by 1990 (Schloesser and Nalepa 1994) and the offshore waters of Lake St. Clair by 1994 (Nalepa et al. 1996). The mussel communities of Lake Erie were already in decline, probably due to a general decline in water quality over the past 40 years (Nalepa et al. 1991), but Lake St. Clair still supported an abundant and diverse mussel assemblage as recently as 1986 (Nalepa and Gauvin 1988). Unionids continue to survive in some nearshore areas with very shallow water, a high degree of connectivity to the lake (which ensures access to host fishes), and harsh conditions for dreissenid mussels (high water temperatures and considerable wave action in summer; ice scour in winter). However, such "refugia" are rare, and most of the unionid habitat in the Great Lakes has been permanently lost (COSEWIC 2003a).

The Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell have apparently been lost from the Thames and Grand rivers, and the Round Hickorynut has declined significantly in the Sydenham River. Agriculture is believed to be the main cause of the destruction of mussel habitat across North America (Strayer and Fetterman 1999) and southwestern Ontario is no exception. Since agriculture accounts for 75-85% of land use in the Grand, Thames and Sydenham River basins, it is likely that agricultural impacts (e.g., runoff of sediment, nutrients and pesticides, increased water temperatures due to loss of riparian vegetation, destruction of habitat by tractor crossings and cattle) are primarily responsible for the loss of mussel habitat in these rivers (COSEWIC 2003a).

The federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) was proclaimed in June of 2003. Under SARA there are general prohibitions against killing, harming, taking, possessing, capturing, and collecting the Round Hickorynut or Kidneyshell and against damaging or destroying their residences, as well as prohibitions on the destruction of Critical Habitat. The Federal Fisheries Act represents another significant piece of legislation protecting freshwater mussels and their habitat in Canada since fish are broadly defined under the Act to include shellfish. The collection of live mussels is considered fishing and would fall under the Ontario Fishery Regulations that are made under the Fisheries Act. The protection of other fish and fish habitat under the Fisheries Act may indirectly protect the habitat of the Round Hickorynut or Kidneyshell and other species of freshwater mussels. The Provincial Policy Statement under Section 3 of the Planning Act provides for protection from development and site alteration in the significant habitats of threatened and endangered species. Other mechanisms for protecting mussels and their habitat in Ontario include the Ontario Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act, which prohibits the impoundment or diversion of a watercourse if it would lead to siltation; and the voluntary Land Stewardship II program of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, which is designed to reduce erosion on agricultural lands. Stream-side development in Ontario is managed through flood plain regulations enforced by local Conservation Authorities. The majority of land in the Sydenham and Ausable rivers where these mussels are found is privately owned while the land in the St. Clair delta is controlled by the Walpole Island First Nation.

Freshwater mussels play an integral role in the functioning of aquatic ecosystems. Vaughn and Hakenkamp (2001) have summarized much of the literature relating to the role of unionids and identified numerous water column (size-selective filter-feeding; species-specific phytoplankton selection; nutrient cycling; control of phospohorus abundance) and sediment processes (deposit feeding decreasing sediment organic matter. biodeposition of feces and pseudofeces; epizoic invertebrates and epiphytic algae colonize shells; benthic invertebrate densities positively correlated with mussel density) mediated by the presence of mussel beds. Welker and Walz (1998) have demonstrated that freshwater mussels are capable of limiting plankton in European rivers while Neves and Odom (1989) reported that mussels also play a role in the transfer of energy to the terrestrial environment through predation by muskrats and raccoons.

Although these species have no apparent economic significance, freshwater mussels are sensitive to environmental pollution and a diverse mussel community indicates a healthy ecosystem. Besides decreased biodiversity in Canada, the loss of the Round Hickorynut or Kidneyshell may indicate further environmental degradation of southwestern Ontario watercourses which would adversely affect those people who depend on surface water for drinking, recreation or watering livestock.

Recovery of the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell is believed to be both biologically and technically feasible as reproducing populations still exist as potential sources to support recovery, suitable habitat can be made available through recovery actions, threats can be mitigated and proposed recovery techniques are anticipated to be effective. Although recovery at the species level is believed to be feasible the effort required to achieve recovery will not be uniform across all populations.

A high level of effort will be required to recover the Sydenham and Lake St. Clair populations of the Round Hickorynut. There is little evidence of natural reproduction within these populations and recovery may require captive breeding and/or relocations from U.S. populations.

A low to moderate level of effort will be required to recover the Sydenham and Ausable river Kidneyshell populations. These populations are believed to be threatened by general habitat loss resulting from characteristic land-use practices within the basin. A general suite of ecosystem recovery actions such as those proposed by Dextrase et al. (2003) will assist with the recovery of this population.

Recovery of the Lake St. Clair populations of both species will require a higher degree of effort. Active management of selected refuge sites including the regular cleaning of dreissenid mussel infested individuals will be required to maintain and recover this population. Long term population augmentation and/or translocations may also be required to return the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell to healthy self-sustaining levels in Canada.

  1. Recovery Goal
  2. Recovery Objectives (5 Year)
  3. Approaches to Meeting Recovery Objectives
    1. Research and Monitoring Approaches
    2. Management Approaches
    3. Stewardship Approaches
    4. Awareness Approaches
  4. Potential Impacts of Recovery Strategy on Other Species/Ecological Processes
  5. Actions Already Completed or Underway
  6. Recovery Action Plans
  7. Evaluation

The long-term goals of this recovery strategy are:

  1. to prevent the extirpation of the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell in Canada;
  2. to return healthy self-sustaining populations of Round Hickorynut to the Sydenham River and Lake St. Clair delta and;
  3. to maintain healthy self-sustaining Kidneyshell populations in the Ausable and Sydenham rivers while returning the Lake St. Clair delta population to a self-sustaining level;
  4. to re-establish populations in historically occupied habitats.

These populations can only be considered recovered when they have returned to historically estimated ranges (see Figure 3 and 6) and/or population densities and are showing signs of reproduction and recruitment.

  1. Determine extent, abundance and population demographics of existing populations.
  2. Determine fish hosts and their distributions and abundances.
  3. Define key habitat requirements to identify critical habitat.
  4. Establish a long-term monitoring program for Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell populations, their hosts and the habitat of both.
  5. Identify threats, evaluate their relative importance and implement remedial actions to minimize their impacts.
  6. Examine the feasibility of relocations, reintroductions and the establishment of managed refuge sites.
  7. Increase awareness about the distribution, threats and recovery of these species.

The approaches to recovery have been organized into four distinct groups – research and monitoring, management, stewardship and awareness. Successful recovery across the ranges of the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell will require consideration of approaches from all categories. A narrative has been included after each table where appropriate.

Recovery of these two species can not be achieved through the actions of any one party. Implementation of the recovery approaches outlined below will require a concerted effort of many groups including, but not limited to, federal, provincial and municipal governments, conservation authorities, academic institutions, First Nations communities, non-governmental organizations and local citizens.

Table a) Research and Monitoring Approaches
Priority Number Objective Addressed Broad Approach/ Strategy Specific Steps Anticipated Effect Threat Addressed
Urgent 1-1 ii, v Research – host fish. Confirm the host fish species for the Round Hickorynut. Will help determine if host abundance is limiting the Round Hickorynut.
Will assist with defining the larval residence site and in identifying critical habitat.
Host fish declines.
Urgent 1-2 ii, v Surveys – host fish. Determine the distribution and abundance of the host species. Will help determine if host abundance is limiting the Round Hickorynut or Kidneyshell. Host fish declines.
Urgent 1-3 iii Research – Critical Habitat. Determine the habitat requirements for all life stages. Will assist with further refining critical habitat for the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell.
Urgent 1-4 iii, vi Surveys – Critical Habitat. Prepare a distribution map of areas of suitable habitat. Will assist with defining critical habitat and potential areas of reintroduction.
Urgent 1-5 vi Research – managed refuge sites. Investigate the feasibility of establishing actively managed refuge sites in the St. Clair delta. Will determine if Round Hickorynuts in the St. Clair delta can be insulated from the effects of dreissenid mussels. Dreissenid mussels.
Necessary 1-6 i, iv Monitoring – mussel and fish host populations. Establish a network of permanent monitoring stations throughout the distribution of the Round Hickorynut. Will permit tracking of populations, analysis of trend patterns, and permit the evaluation of recovery actions. Host fish declines.
Necessary 1-7 iv, v Monitoring – habitat. Establish permanent monitoring sites for tracking changes in habitat. Provides trend data for key habitat and will help evaluate the relative threat of habitat loss. All threats.
Necessary 1-8 v Research – threats. Identify and evaluate threats to all life stages. Will assist with determining reasons for declines and developing remedial actions. All threats.
Necessary 1-9 vi Research – conservation genetics. Compare the within and among population genetic variability of Canadian populations and determine if populations show genetic structure by comparing variability between populations in Canadian and U.S.waterways. Will assist with determining if population translocation or augmentation is appropriate.
Table b) Management Approaches
Priority Number Objective Addressed Broad Approach/ Strategy Specific Steps Anticipated Effect Threat Addressed
Urgent 2-1 i-vi Capacity Building Promote and enhance expertise in freshwater mussel identification/biology and provide for the transfer of knowledge. Will ensure correct identification of mussel species at risk.
Urgent 2-2 v, vi Cooperation – ecosystem recovery strategies Work with existing ecosystem recovery teams to implement recovery actions. Encourage a seamless implementation of all recovery actions.
Necessary 2-3 v Municipal Planning Encourage municipal planning authorities to consider Recovery Goals in official plans. Will provide further protection for the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell and promote future development that does not degrade important habitat. Urbanization, water quality, water quantity, impoundments.
Necessary 2-4 v Drainage Work with drainage supervisors, engineers and contractors to limit the effects of drainage activities on mussel habitat. Will reduce the harmful effects of drainage activities. Water quality, siltation, water quantity.
Necessary 2-5 ii, iii, v Fish Management Plans Encourage the development of management plans for non SAR fish species within watersheds inhabited by the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell Will provide protection for potential host species. Host fish declines.
Necessary 2-6 v Baitfish Work with the baitfish industry to reduce the impacts of commercial baitfishing on host species. Will provide protection for potential host species. Host fish declines.
Necessary 2-7 v Wastewater treatment plants and stormwater management facilities Verify that wastewater treatment plants are functioning up to specifications and encourage upgrading where appropriate. Review stormwater management facilities for quantity and quality control in new developments, and retro-fit existing development where possible. Will improve water quality by reducing nutrient and suspended solid inputs from urban centres. Water quality, water quantity, impoundments.
Table c) Stewardship Approaches
Priority Number Objective Addressed Broad Approach/ Strategy Specific Steps Anticipated Effect Threat Addressed
Urgent 3-1 v Riparian buffers Establish riparian buffer zones in areas of high erosion potential by encouraging naturalization or planting of native species. Will improve water quality by reducing bank erosion, sedimentation and overland run-off. Water quality, siltation, water quantity.
Urgent 3-2 v Tile drainage Work with landowners to mitigate the effects of tile drainage. Will reduce nutrient and sediment inputs. Water quality, siltation, water quantity.
Urgent 3-3 v Herd management Encourage the active exclusion of animals from the watercourse. Will reduce bank erosion, sediment and nutrient inputs. Water quality, siltation.
Urgent 3-4 v Livestock waste management Assist with establishing adequate manure collection and storage systems to avoid accidental spills, and winter-spreading of manure. Will improve water quality by reducing nutrients. Water quality.
Urgent 3-5 v Farm planning Encourage the development and implementation of Environmental Farm Plans and Nutrient Management Plans. Will assist with minimizing inputs of nutrients and sediments. Water quality.
Urgent 3-6 v Sewage treatment Work with landowners to improve faulty septic systems. Will improve water quality by reducing nutrient inputs. Water quality.
Beneficial 3-7 v Soil testing Encourage soil testing to determine fertilizer application rates. Will reduce nutrient inputs to the river. Water quality.

The stewardship activities outlined here can be described as "best management practices" and represent a non-exhaustive selection of activities that can be encouraged within these predominantly agricultural watersheds to help reduce the impacts of terrestrial practices on aquatic ecosystems. Encouragement can be achieved through increasing awareness of these activities as well as through the provision of financial assistance to local landowners.

Table d) Awareness Approaches
Priority Number Objective Addressed Broad Approach/ Strategy Specific Steps Anticipated Effect Threat Addressed
Urgent 4-1 vii Awareness – stewardship actions Increase public knowledge of stewardship options and financial assistance available to participate in activities. Increased public participation in recovery actions and a reduction in threats to the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell. Water quality, siltation, water quantity.
Urgent 4-2 vii Exotic species Increase public awareness of the potential impacts of transporting/releasing exotic species. Will reduce the risk of dreissenid mussels or gobies becoming established. Exotic species
Beneficial 4-3 vii Outreach Encourage public support and participation by developing awareness materials and programs. Will increase public awareness of the importance of species at risk. All threats.

Public participation in the recovery process for these species is essential as the primary threats to populations in the Ausable and Sydenham rivers result from diffuse non-point source inputs relating to the general agricultural activities within these watersheds. Recovery can not occur without the full participation of local citizens and landowners. The need for an effective public awareness program is crucial to the recovery of these two species.

The Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell are sensitive species, particularly to issues of water quantity and quality. For this reason, we expect that efforts made to improve conditions for these mussels will benefit most other aquatic species. A few opportunistic species that can readily adapt to degraded conditions (e.g., giant floater (Pyganodon grandis) or fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)) may see a decline in numbers/range as a result of rehabilitative efforts. These changes should not be viewed in a negative light but rather as a restoration of the aquatic community to pre-disturbance conditions.

The Sydenham River Recovery Team became the first group in Canada to adopt an ecosystem approach to recovering aquatic species when they completed the Sydenham River Aquatic Ecosystem Recovery Strategy (SRAERS) in 2003 (Dextrase et al. 2003). The recovery strategy focuses on the 14 aquatic species (5 mussels, 8 fishes, 1 turtle) within the basin that are listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern by the COSEWIC. Both the Round Hickorynut and the Kidneyshell were listed after the SRAERS was completed and so these species are not directly considered within the strategy. Despite their exclusion from the strategy many of the actions proposed by Dextrase et al. (2003) to benefit the 5 included mussel species will be beneficial for recovery of these two species.

The Thames River Recovery Team (TRRT) has set out to develop an ecosystem based recovery strategy for the Thames River watershed. The stated goal is to develop "a recovery plan that improves the status of all aquatic species at risk in the Thames River through an ecosystem approach that sustains and enhances all native aquatic communities" (Thames River Recovery Team 2003). This recovery strategy addresses 25 COSEWIC listed species including 7 mussels, 12 fishes and 6 reptiles. Both the Round Hickorynut and the Kidneyshell are being considered in the development of this strategy as both species historically occurred within this watershed. Although neither species is still known to occur in the Thames River, recovery actions proposed by the TRRT will increase the likelihood that Recovery Habitat for these species in the Thames River will prove suitable for possible future repatriations.

The Ausable River Recovery Team is developing an ecosystem Recovery Strategy for the 14 COSEWIC listed aquatic species in the Ausable River basin. This plan covers 4 endangered mussel species including the Kidneyshell. The overall goal of the strategy is to "sustain a healthy native aquatic community in the Ausable River through an ecosystem approach that focuses on species at risk" (Ausable River Recovery Team 2004). The Ausable River Recovery Team (2004) has also established a species-specific recovery goal for all mussels of "maintain(ing) existing populations of species at risk and restor(ing) self-sustaining populations of each species to areas of the river where they formerly occurred".

The Grand River Recovery Team has developed a draft recovery strategy for fish species at risk in the Grand River. The goal of this strategy is "to conserve and enhance the native fish community using sound science, community involvement and habitat improvement measures" (Portt et al. 2003). Although the strategy does not directly address any mussels species, their "habitat preferences and requirements will be taken into account when assessing management actions targeting fish species at risk. In most cases, it is anticipated that recovery actions benefiting fishes at risk will also benefit these other rare species" (Portt et al. 2003).

The Walpole Island Ecosystem Recovery Strategy Team was established in 2001 to develop an ecosystem based recovery strategy for the area containing the St. Clair delta with the goal of outlining steps to maintain or rehabilitate the ecosystem and species at risk (Walpole Island Heritage Centre 2002). Although the strategy is initially focusing on terrestrial ecosystems there are future plans to include aquatic components of the ecosystem.

A research group led by Dr. J. Ackerman and Dr. G. L. Mackie has been established at the University of Guelph to investigate aspects of the reproductive cycle of freshwater mussels (host fish determination, glochidial development, juvenile growth and survival). The group conducts its research at the Hagen Aqua Lab on the grounds of the university in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. This facility has been used to investigate potential hosts for four species of endangered mussels including the Kidneyshell (McNichols and Mackie 2003). In 2003 they identified three host species for the Kidneyshell (blackside darter, Johnny darter, fantail darter) but have yet to attempt to identify or confirm the host for the Round Hickorynut (McNichols and Mackie 2004).

Stewardship programs have been available in the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority in 2000 for projects involving tree planting; stream stabilization; wetland creation; buffer strips; grassed waterways; sediment traps; repair or replacement of faulty septic systems; manure storage facilities; clean water diversions; runoff collection systems; fencing livestock from watercourses; plugging and repairing wells and nutrient management plans. Implementation of these projects improves and protects rural water quality, and the habitat for aquatic species at risk.

Currently, the Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority is able to provide funding for stewardship activities such as: tree planting, windbreaks, buffer strips, Nutrient Management Plans, well-decommissioning, wellhead protection, livestock washwater, manure spreading equipment modifications, conservation tillage modifications, clean water diversion, livestock restriction, fertilizer, fuel and chemical storage and handling, erosion control, conservation tillage equipment modifications and septic system upgrades. Implementation of these projects improves water quality and habitat for aquatic species at risk.

Fifteen permanent monitoring stations for mussels have been established on the Sydenham River and a further 6 on the Thames River. Additional stations will be located on the Ausable River during 2006. These sites will be part of an ongoing monitoring system as part of the Sydenham, Ausable and Thames ecosystem recovery strategies and will provide quantitative trend through time data to evaluate recovery actions as well as the overall status of mussel communities.

Implementation of this provincial legislation, which came into force September 30 2003, will regulate the storage and use of nutrients including manure, farmyard run-off and farm washwater. This should reduce nutrient inputs to the watercourses, which will benefit the aquatic habitats of the mussels.

A White Paper on Watershed-based Source Protection Planning was released in February 2004. Source Protection Planning will identify potential sources of contamination to the surface water and groundwater, determine how much water is readily available, evaluate where that water is vulnerable to contamination and implement programs to minimize risk of contamination to water quality as well as minimizing threats to water quantity.

One or more action plans relating to this recovery strategy will be produced within 5 years of the strategy being completed. Wherever possible recovery action plans should be linked to existing watershed recovery teams. Recovery resources in southwestern Ontario (both fiscal and personnel) are limited. Partnership with these other recovery teams will ensure that efforts are not duplicated and will help to prevent the implementation of recovery efforts for differing species that may conflict.

The routine monitoring programs will provide the primary means of evaluating the success of the listed recovery approaches. The monitoring programs will provide trend through time data allowing the tracking of Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell populations and habitat and will form the basis of an adaptive management program. Recovery Implementation Groups will develop specific targets in the Recovery Action Plans to provide a further basis for evaluating success. The entire Recovery Strategy will be reviewed in 5 years at which time all goals, objectives and approaches will be re-evaluated.

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Fisheries and Oceans Canada engaged several first nation communities in Southern Ontario in the development of recovery strategies for Ontario mussel species. There were several meetings with members of the London Chiefs Council, one to discuss sampling the Thames River adjacent to the Chippewa, Oneida and Delaware communities and one to discuss the Thames River Recovery Strategy. There was ongoing dialogue between DFO and the policy advisor to the Southern First Nations Secretariat which is the administrative agency of the London Chiefs Council. DFO had meetings with the director of the Walpole Island Natural Heritage Centre and the Fish and Game Enforcement Officer from Walpole Island First Nation. During these meetings, general information on the Species at Risk Act was presented and the Walpole Island Recovery Strategy was discussed. A representative from Walpole Island First Nation was invited to participate on the Ontario Freshwater Mussel Recovery Team which prepared the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell Recovery Strategy; the representative was invited to attend all meetings and included in all correspondence sent to the recovery team members regarding this and other mussel recovery strategies. DFO also discussed SARA issues with a representative of the Six Nations of the Grand who works from the Six Nations EcoCentre and who also represents First Nation interests on the Grand River Fishes at Risk Management Plan, the Thames River Fish Management Plan and the St. Clair River Management Strategy.

An information package, which includes a copy of the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell recovery strategy and a summary description of the strategy, was prepared to solicit comments from potentially affected First Nations. This package was sent to the Chief and Council of Chippewa of Stoney and Kettle Point, Chippewa of Sarnia, Caldwell First Nation, Moravia of Thames First Nation, Chippewa of the Thames, Oneida, Munsey-Deleware First Nation, Mississauga of New Credit First Nation and Six Nations of the Grand. Members of these communities may have traveled or harvested fish from the waters of the Ausable River, Sydenham River, Thames River and Grand River where these mussels were historically found. Follow-up telephone calls were made to each community office to ensure that packages were received and to ask if they would like to schedule a meeting to learn more about the recovery strategy or the SARA.

The Ontario Freshwater Mussel Recovery Team had representation from all of the Conservation Authorities responsible for managing the rivers where mussels at risk are presently or were historically found. In addition to this, DFO prepared a list of non governmental organizations and municipalities which may be impacted by the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell Recovery Strategy. Information packages were prepared to inform these groups that the recovery strategy was posted on the SARA Public Registry and inviting each group to comment on the strategy. As well, an announcement was prepared and placed in newspapers with circulation in the area where these mussels are found to inform landowners and the general public about the strategy and to request their comments. These packages were sent and the announcements published to coincide with posting of the Recovery Strategy on the SARA Registry.

The province of Ontario was represented on the Recovery Team by the Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) and actively participated in the development of this Recovery Strategy. Further to their participation in the development of the Recovery Strategy, the OMNRconducted a thorough review of the penultimate draft (December 2004) providing valuable additional insight. A letter to request further Provincial comment on the Recovery Strategy was sent to the OMNR to coincide with posting of the Recovery Strategy on the SARA Public Registry.

The National Water Research Institute of Environment Canada was actively engaged in the development of this recovery strategy providing two members to the Ontario Freshwater Mussel Recovery Team. Environment Canada was invited to review and provide comment on the December 2004 draft of the Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell recovery strategy.

The Recovery Team contacted representatives from Resource Management agencies at the state and federal levels in the U.S.A., where Round Hickorynut and Kidneyshell are extant, to invite their participation if interested; none participated. These two mussels are only found in Canada and the U.S.A. Information packages were sent to each U.S. agency to coincide with posting of the Recovery Strategy on the SARA Public Registry.

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