Freshwater mussel (Unionidae) timed-search surveys in Medway Creek : the search for Ptychobranchus fasciolaris (Kidneyshell) / by Mandy P. Gibson, Kelly A. McNichols-O'Rourke, and Todd J. Morris.: Fs97-4/3304E-PDF

"Ptychobranchus fasciolaris (Kidneyshell) is currently listed as Endangered under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). There have been numerous shell records of P. fasciolaris in the Thames River watershed but only 4 live individuals found. All live captures have occurred in Medway Creek, a tributary of the North Thames River. In 2024, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) sampled 15 sites throughout Medway Creek to assess the current unionid assemblage and determine if live P. fasciolaris remain. A semi-quantitative timed-search survey was conducted at each site by a three-to six-person team for a total 4.5 person-hour effort. A total of 1534 live mussels of 14 species, including two species at risk (SAR), Cambarunio iris (Rainbow) and Lampsilis fasciola (Wavyrayed Lampmussel), were observed. There were no live P. fasciolaris individuals found, but 3 whole shells and 2 valves were found at three sites. Medway Creek supports a moderately abundant and highly diverse mussel assemblage; however, there are several pollutant tolerant species and the relative abundance of these species has shifted over time. Sites with P. fasciolaris records (live or shell) have intact riparian buffers of >30 m and water temperature was significantly lower at sites with live SAR present compared to sites without live SAR. These data provide an understanding of the current mussel assemblage in Medway Creek and can be used to inform a potential reintroduction of P. fasciolaris to this system"--Abstract, page vi.

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