Diagnostic Assay Development and Surveillance for Microsporidia in High Value Mussel Communities
The Snuffbox mussel (Epioblasma triquetra) was a historically widespread species occurring in 210 lakes and streams in the United States and Canada; however, the range has declined by 62% and reduced to 79 lakes and streams. Existing populations are small and isolated, increasing the risk of species extinction. These factors prompted the listing of Snuffbox as federally endangered in 2012. Snuffbox population declines may be caused by a range of factors including habitat loss, stream impoundment, degraded water quality, and disease. This study focuses on the occurrence in Snuffbox of fungus like parasites called microsporidia which infect freshwater mussels and may spread via spores from parent to offspring and between individuals.
Conservation and Restoration of Native Freshwater Mussels
Microsporidial infection is of high concern as it generally infects the gonads of mussels possibly reducing the reproductive success of the infected mussels. Furthermore, microsporidia spores can persist in the environment for long periods of time and are resistant to a variety of environmental conditions. This study focuses on the Snuffbox population in the Wolf River in northern Wisconsin. This Snuffbox population is has evidence of recruitment, but the population is still in decline. Investigation of a mussel die-off in the Embarrass River, found within the Wolf River watershed, detected microsporidia in 100% of the sampled Plain Pocketbook (Lampsilis cardium, n=4) and 30% of the Mucket (Actinonaias ligamentina, n=9). Microsporidia were not determined to be the causal agent of mortality but the findings prompted the need to better understand the infection rate and route of transmission and to develop methods for detecting the presence of microsporidia in mussels.
The objectives of this study are to:
- Develop a qPCR assay (qPCR creates multiple copies targeted of genes and quantifies the amount of DNA present over time) for the microsporidian found in Lampsilis spp. mussels in the Embarrass River.
- Develop an optimal non-lethal sampling method for detection of microsporidia (i.e., gill swabs, gonad puncture) and verify with historical methods and qPCR analysis of infested mussels.
- Determine the occurrence and level of infestation of microsporidia in Snuffbox (using non-lethal sampling methods) and compare to infestation of co-occurring species in select Snuffbox habitats.
- Investigate the transmission of microsporidia between individuals in controlled laboratory trails.
This project is ongoing and is in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USGS National Wildlife Health Center, and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The Snuffbox mussel (Epioblasma triquetra) was a historically widespread species occurring in 210 lakes and streams in the United States and Canada; however, the range has declined by 62% and reduced to 79 lakes and streams. Existing populations are small and isolated, increasing the risk of species extinction. These factors prompted the listing of Snuffbox as federally endangered in 2012. Snuffbox population declines may be caused by a range of factors including habitat loss, stream impoundment, degraded water quality, and disease. This study focuses on the occurrence in Snuffbox of fungus like parasites called microsporidia which infect freshwater mussels and may spread via spores from parent to offspring and between individuals.
Conservation and Restoration of Native Freshwater Mussels
Microsporidial infection is of high concern as it generally infects the gonads of mussels possibly reducing the reproductive success of the infected mussels. Furthermore, microsporidia spores can persist in the environment for long periods of time and are resistant to a variety of environmental conditions. This study focuses on the Snuffbox population in the Wolf River in northern Wisconsin. This Snuffbox population is has evidence of recruitment, but the population is still in decline. Investigation of a mussel die-off in the Embarrass River, found within the Wolf River watershed, detected microsporidia in 100% of the sampled Plain Pocketbook (Lampsilis cardium, n=4) and 30% of the Mucket (Actinonaias ligamentina, n=9). Microsporidia were not determined to be the causal agent of mortality but the findings prompted the need to better understand the infection rate and route of transmission and to develop methods for detecting the presence of microsporidia in mussels.
The objectives of this study are to:
- Develop a qPCR assay (qPCR creates multiple copies targeted of genes and quantifies the amount of DNA present over time) for the microsporidian found in Lampsilis spp. mussels in the Embarrass River.
- Develop an optimal non-lethal sampling method for detection of microsporidia (i.e., gill swabs, gonad puncture) and verify with historical methods and qPCR analysis of infested mussels.
- Determine the occurrence and level of infestation of microsporidia in Snuffbox (using non-lethal sampling methods) and compare to infestation of co-occurring species in select Snuffbox habitats.
- Investigate the transmission of microsporidia between individuals in controlled laboratory trails.
This project is ongoing and is in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USGS National Wildlife Health Center, and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.