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The Oystermussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis) is an imperiled freshwater mussel native to the upper Tennessee River and its tributaries. In east Tennessee it can be found in the Nolichucky and the Clinch River. Erwin National Fish Hatchery is working to propagate the Nolichucky population of the Oystermussel to help restore this special species.
Biological Sciences Technician Rebekah Ewing met Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Biologist Tim Lane at a site in the lower Nolichucky River in early April to collect Oystermussel broodstock broodstock
The reproductively mature adults in a population that breed (or spawn) and produce more individuals (offspring or progeny).
Learn more about broodstock . This was the first time that the site had been surveyed since Hurricane Helene, amazingly the Oystermussel was present in high numbers. Sixteen gravid females were found, and 5 were brought back to the hatchery for propagation efforts.
Glochidia were extracted from the females using a water-filled syringe, and were infested on sculpin. Each female was tagged, and DNA swabs were taken for genetic analysis at the Smithsonian Institution Museum of Natural History, as part of another project.
The Oystermussel has a long transformation period, and metamorphosized juveniles began dropping off in late May. So far roughly 6,000 juveniles have been collected. Individuals will be reared in sediment buckets at Erwin National Fish Hatchery until they are of stockable size. These efforts are intended to support restoration of Oystermussel populations in the upper Nolichucky River.
