(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species MUSSEL, PEARLY, HIGGINS' EYE
Species Id ESIS403001
Date 13 MAR 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - MUSSEL, PEARLY, HIGGINS' EYE
OTHER COMMON NAMES - MUSSEL, PEARLY, HIGGINS' EYE; MUSSEL and HIGGINS' EYE
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Aquatic Molluscs
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - MOLLUSCA,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - BIVALVIA,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - UNIONOIDA,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - UNIONIDAE,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - LAMPSILIS,
SPECIES AND SSP - HIGGINSI,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - LAMPSILIS HIGGINSI
AUTHORITY -
TAXONOMY REFERENCES -
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Higgins' Eye Pearly Mussel
Lampsilis higginsi (Lea, 1857)
KINGDOM: Animal GROUP: Clam
PHYLUM: Mollusca CLASS: Bivalvia
ORDER: Unionoida FAMILY: Unionidae
The shell is oval, elliptical, or rhomboid, thick and gaping at
the anterior base. The species is sexually dimorphic. The anterior
end is rounded and posterior end is bluntly pointed about midway up
from the base in the male. The female shell is truncated and has a
well-developed post-basal swelling. In both sexes the surface is
usually shiny and marked with irregular growth lines. The epidermis
is yellowish or olive with faint but distinct green rays. Internally
the nacre is silvery-white and often tinged with pink or salmon, and
is irridescent posteriorly (01,02).
Photographs are available in 04. The species is most commonly
called Higgins' eye mussel and is sometimes confused with Lampsilis
orbiculata (04). However, L. higginsi and L. orbiculata are
allopatric, so they are not likely to be confused in nature.
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species MUSSEL, PEARLY, HIGGINS' EYE
Species Id ESIS403001
Date 13 MAR 96
STATUS
Coded Status
E: Federal Endangered
Commercial
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
U.S. STATUSES AND LAWS:
The Higgins' eye pearly mussel (Lampsilis higginsi) has been
designated an Endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species
Act of 1973 (50 CFR 17.11; P.L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884; 16 U.S.C.
1531-1540), as amended. The species has this status wherever found
including the States of IL, IA, MN, MO, NE, and WI. The present known
distribution is encompassed by four States, IL, IA, MN, and WI.
This species is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as
amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any wild
animal (alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring):
(1) in interstate or foreign commerce if taken, possessed,
transported or sold in violation of any State law or
regulation; or
(2) if taken or possessed in violation of any U.S. law,
treaty, or regulation or in violation of Indian tribal law.
It is also unlawful to possess any wild animal (alive or dead
including parts, products, eggs, and offspring) within the U.S.
territorial or special maritime jurisdiction (as defined in
18 U.S.C. 7) that is taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any State law or regulation, foreign law, or Indian
tribal law.
RESPONSIBLE FEDERAL AGENCIES:
USFWS -Responsible for the management/recovery, listing, and
law enforcement/protection of this species.
All Federal agencies have responsibility to ensure that any
action authorized, funded, or carried out by that agency is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of Critical Habitat (50 CFR 402),
and to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species MUSSEL, PEARLY, HIGGINS' EYE
Species Id ESIS403001
Date 13 MAR 96
conservation of the species.
STATE STATUSES AND LAWS:
STATE: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
DESIGNATED STATUS: Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: (IL) Department of Conservation;
(IA) Conservation Commission;
(MN) Department of Natural Resources;
(WI) Department of Natural Resources.
STATE STATUTES: (IL) Illinois Endangered Species Act, Ch. 8,
Sec. 331-340, Illinois Revised Statutes;
(IA) Management and Protection of Endangered
Plants and Wildlife, Ch. 109A;
(MN) Minnesota Law 1983, Ch. 97.488, Protection
of Threatened and Endangered Species.
(WI) Enabling Legislatin of Wisconsin
Administrative Codes, Section 29.415, Endangered
and Threatened Species Protected.
STATE: Missouri
DESIGNATED STATUS: Recognized Endangered
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY: Department of Conservation
STATE STATUTE: Wildlife Code of Missouri: Rule 3 CSR 10-4.111.
INTERNATIONAL STATUSES, TREATIES, AND AGREEMENTS:
This species is listed in Appendix I of the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
ECONOMIC STATUSES:
The Higgins' eye pearly mussel was at one time valued as a button
shell and commercially harvested for this purpose.
74/10/17:39 FR 37078/37079 - Notice of review
75/09/26:40 FR 44329/44333 - Proposed rule
76/06/14:41 FR 24062/24067 - Final rule - listed as Endangered
77/02/22:42 FR 10462/10488 - Implementation of CITES
78/03/06:43 FR 09168/09172 - Advance notice of proposed rule on CITES
78/05/03:43 FR 21338/21339 - Advance notice of potential rule on CITES
81/02/27:46 FR 14652/14658 - Five year review
87/07/07:52 FR 25523/25528 - Notice of review
Status - 2 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - AQUATIC
INLAND AQUATIC
LAND USE -
Streams and Canals
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Riverine, upper perennial UB2
Riverine, upper perennial UB1
Riverine, upper perennial OW0
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
L. higginsi prefers deep water habitat in large rivers (06).
The species has been found in 8-15 feet of water in mud with a
mixture of gravel and stones (03). They are usually found in beds
bordering main or side channels and prefer areas of high turbulence
and oxygen content (03). Little information is available about the
specific habitats required by this species.
The habitat of the glochidia is initially in the gills of the
female then in the water column, and finally attached to a suitable
host fish. Habitat associations or requirements for the juvenile
stage are unknown
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species MUSSEL, PEARLY, HIGGINS' EYE
Species Id ESIS403001
Date 13 MAR 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
OMNIVORE
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Detritus
General Bacteria
General Phytoplankton
General Diatoms
General Zooplankton
General Fish
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species MUSSEL, PEARLY, HIGGINS' EYE
Species Id ESIS403001
Date 13 MAR 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Aquatic Features: Pool areas
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species MUSSEL, PEARLY, HIGGINS' EYE
Species Id ESIS403001
Date 13 MAR 96
LIFE HISTORY
FOOD HABITS:
There is a lack of information on the feeding behavior of L.
higginsi and for most of the bivalves of the Upper Mississippi River
(04). However, there is no known interspecific differences in feeding
among freshwater mussels (18). The glochidia are obligate parasites
on the gills or fins of fish. Adult mussels are filter-feeders and
consume particulate matter in the water column. Identifiable stomach
contents almost invariably include desmids, diatoms, algae, protozoa,
and zooplankters (12,19).
HOME RANGE/TERRITORY:
No information is available.
PERIODICITY:
No information is available.
MIGRATION PATTERNS:
Non-migratory.
COVER/SHELTER REQUIREMENTS:
The species seems to prefer deep water pools (8-15 ft. deep) with
fast moving water (03).
REPRODUCTIVE SITE REQUIREMENTS:
The reproductive site requirements for this species appear to be
the same as its general habitat requirements. They prefer deep water
rivers with fast moving water (03,04).
REPRODUCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS:
The reproductive cycle of L. higginsi is similar to that of most
unionids (04). No data are available for this particular species, but
sexual maturity is not attained for several years in most related
species. Lampsilis luteola were observed to be sexually mature by the
third year (12). L. higginsi is sexually dimorphic and the
posteriorly tapered males produce sperm that are discharged into the
surrounding water (04). The posteriorly truncated females obtain
these sperm during the normal process of siphoning water (04). It is
unknown whether sexually mature individuals are able to detect the
presence of one another during periods of reproductive activity (04).
The breeding season is between May and September (06) and the species
apparently has one breeding season per year.
Fertilization of eggs occurs in the female's gills and fertilized
eggs are retained within the gills where development takes place (04).
Female L. higginsi are bradytitic (i.e., long-term breeders that
retain the developing larvae within their marsupia throughout most of
the year, except during early summer). A single female may brood and
release several hundred thousand glochidia each year, but few reach
sexual maturity (04).
PARENTAL CARE:
Eggs are fertilized within the gills of the female and are
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species MUSSEL, PEARLY, HIGGINS' EYE
Species Id ESIS403001
Date 13 MAR 96
retained until he eggs develop into the parasitic stage (glochidia) at
which time they are released into the water. No other parental care
occurs.
POPULATION BIOLOGY:
L. higginsi has historically occurred in low to medium densities
and has never been abundant (04,15,16). Little is known about the
population biology of the species. A combination of factors is
probably responsible for its decline (04) (See N-REASONS).
SPECIES INTERRELATIONSHIPS:
Since the known host species of L. higginsi, sauger, freshwater
drum, green sunfish, largemouth bass, small mouth bass, walleye,
yellow perch, and white bass, are abundant and widespread. It is
doubtful that the hosts are limiting or affecting the population of
the species (17). Also, the possible competition of L. higginsi with
the introduced Asiatic clam, Corbicula fluminea, is only speculative
(10,11).
OTHER LIFE HISTORY DESCRIPTORS:
None.
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species MUSSEL, PEARLY, HIGGINS' EYE
Species Id ESIS403001
Date 13 MAR 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Beneficial Controlling/Restricting Boating Activities
Beneficial Developing fishways
Beneficial Developing/maintaining stream structures
Beneficial Maintaining/Controlling Water Flow
Beneficial Maintaining undisturbed/undeveloped areas
Beneficial Controlling pollution [thermal, chemical, physical]
Beneficial Transplanting wild animals
Beneficial Regulating commercial harvest levels
Adverse Commercial Exploitation
Existing Commercial Exploitation
Adverse Boating
Existing Boating
Adverse Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Existing Inherent Reproductive Characteristics
Adverse Disease
Existing Disease
Adverse Recreational development
Existing Recreational development
Adverse Siltation
Existing Siltation
Adverse Water Level Stabilization
Existing Water Level Stabilization
Adverse Migration barriers
Existing Migration barriers
Adverse Dredging
Existing Dredging
Adverse Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Existing Environmental Contamination/Pollution
Adverse Competition
Existing Competition
Adverse Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
Existing Exotic/Feral/Introducted Species
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
Although L. higginsi was once widespread in the Upper Mississippi
River and in some of its major tributaries, it was probably never
abundant (04) because of its specific habitat requirements (05).
Factors that have led to the species' decline are diverse and while
some have substantial backing, others are subject to speculation.
One factor leading the species' decline is commercial harvesting
for a variety of decorative functions (03,04,05). Although it was not
abundant, L. higginsi was considered a good button shell (06,07) and
was harvested commercially when found (03).
The general alteration of the Upper Mississippi River from
riverine to an impounded system and changes in water quality as a
result of municipal, industrial, and agricultural effluents have also
contributed to the decline of this species (03,04,08). Channel
dredging for maintenance and/or construction projects has specifically
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species MUSSEL, PEARLY, HIGGINS' EYE
Species Id ESIS403001
Date 13 MAR 96
been identified as a problem (04).
Aside from the direct physical removal of L. higginsi from its
substrate, dredging poses a number of other potential problems (04).
These are alteration and destruction of habitat and increases
turbidity and subsequent sedimentation (03,04). Prolonged and
increased turbidity caused by boat prop wash has the same detrimental
effects (05).
Other possible factors for the decline of the Higgins' eye pearly
mussel are: unavailability of appropriate glochidial hosts (09),
disease induced by bacteria and protozoans (09), and competition by
the introduced Asiatic clam Corbicula fluminea (03,10,11).
APPROVED PLAN:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1983. Higgins' Eye Mussel Recovery
Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Twin Cities, MN. 69 pp.
The primary objective of the recovery plan is to remove L.
higginsi from the Federal Endangered Species List. This involves the
following actions:
1. Preserve the species and its essential habitat by determining
habitat requirements and the effects of habitat alterations such as
dredging, runoff, various discharges (pollutants), and drastic changes
in the water level.
2. Habitat improvements, such as fish runways around locks and dams,
may be needed to aid in dispersal of the mussels.
3. Study potential detrimental and or beneficial effects of various
commercial mussel collection methods and establish reasonable
regulatory measures.
4. Control/restrict barging operations and power boating activities.
5. Determine the best transplanting methods and restore the species
to unoccupied habitat.
Management Practices - 2 (DRAFT) - References
Species MUSSEL, PEARLY, HIGGINS' EYE
Species Id ESIS403001
Date 13 MAR 96
References
***** REFERENCES FOR ALL NARRATIVES EXCEPT N-OCCURRENCE *****
01 Burch, J.B. 1975. Freshwater Unionacean clams
(Mollusca:Pelecypoda) of North America. Malacological Pub.,
Hamburg, Michigan. 204 pp.
02 Parmalee, P.W. 1967. The freshwater mussels of Illinois. Ill.
State Mus. Pop. Sci. Ser. 8:1-108.
03 Fuller, S.L. 1978. Fresh-water mussels of the upper Mississippi
River. Report to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
04 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1983. Higgins' Eye Pearly Mussel
Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 69 pp.
05 Wisconsin Dept. Nat. Resour. 1980. Petition to the Director, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service to designate critical habitats. Wisc.
DNR Report.
06 Baker, F.C. 1928. The freshwater mollusca of Wisconsin, Part II:
Pelecypoda. Bull. Wis. Geol. and Nat. Hist. Surv. No. 70:1-495.
07 Knott, M.J. 1980. The pearl button industry and its impacts on
Mississippi River mussel fauna. Pages 11-16. IN: Proceedings of
the UMRCC Symp. on Upper Mississippi River Bivalve Mollusks. Rock
Island, IL.
08 Engel, J.M. 1980. The Endangered Species Act, 1979. IN:
Proceedings of the UMRCC Symp. on Upper Mississippi River Bivalve
Mollusks. Rock Island, IL.
09 Ellis, M.M. 1931. Some factors affecting the replacement of the
commercial freshwater mussels. U.S. Bur. Fish. Circ. 7:1-10.
10 Fuller, S.L.H. and M.J. Imlay. 1976. Spatial competition between
Corbicula manilensis (Philippi), the Chinese clam (Corbiculidae),
and freshwater mussels (Unionidae) in the Waccamaw River basin of
the Carolinas (Mollusca:Bivalvia). ASB Bull. 23:60.
11 Fuller, S.L.H. and J.W. Richardson. 1977. Amensalistic
competition between Corbicula manilensis (Philippi), the Asiatic
Clam (Corbiculidae) and freshwater mussels (Unionidae) in the
Savannah River of Georgia and South Carolina (Mollusca:Bivalvia).
ASB Bull. 24:25.
12 Coker, R.E., A.F. Shira, H.W. Clark, and A.D. Howard. 1921.
Natural history and propagation of fresh water mussels. Bull. Bur.
Fish. 36:77-181.
13 Wilson, C.B. 1916. Copepod parasites of freshwater fishes and
their economic relations to mussel glochidia. Bull. Bur. Fish.
34:331-374.
14 Witter, F.M. 1883. The Mollusca of Muscatine County and Vicinity.
The Muscatine Conchological Club, Muscatine, Iowa. S.E. Cassino
and Company, Boston. 24 pp.
15 Surber, T. 1913. Notes on the natural hosts of freshwater
mussels. Bull. Bur. Fish. Doc. 771:1-10.
16 Pratt, W.H. 1876. List of land and freshwater shells found at
Davenport, Iowa. Proc. Dav. Acad. Nat. Sci. 1:165-167.
17 Rasmussen, J.L. 1979. Distribution and relative abundance of
Upper Mississippi River fishes. IN: A compendium of fishery
information on the Upper Mississippi River, 2nd ed. J.L.
Rasmussen, editor. Upper Mississippi River Cons. Comm., Rock
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species MUSSEL, PEARLY, HIGGINS' EYE
Species Id ESIS403001
Date 13 MAR 96
Island, IL.
18 Fuller, S.L.H. 1974. Clams and mussels (Mollusca:Bivalvia).
Pages 215-273. IN: Pollution Ecology of Freshwater Invetebrates.
C.W. Hart and S.L.H. Fuller, eds. Academic Press, NY.
19 Churchill, E.P., Jr., and S.I. Lewis. 1924. Food and feeding in
freshwater mussels. Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish. 39:439-471.
***** REFERENCES FOR N-OCCURRENCE NARRATIVE ONLY *****
01 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1983. Higgins' Eye Pearly Mussel
Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 69 pp.
02 Havlick, M.E. and L.L. Marking. 1981. A quantitative analysis of
naiad mollusks from the Prarie du Chien, Wisconsin dredge material
site on the Mississippi River. Bull. Am. Malacolog. Union
1980:30-34.
References - 2