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Freshwater mussels help maintain water purity and river basin biodiversity. However, these important water filterers are increasingly impacted by large scale mortality outbreaks of unknown causes; about 70% of North American freshwater mussels now are considered imperiled. During a die-off investigation, early disease detection (before mussels are dying or dead) presents the best chance of studying a disease and its likely causes. Researchers will investigate whether analysis of hemolymph, the circulatory fluid of mussels (equivalent to blood in mammals), can accurately identify sick mussels. If successful, this new tool could significantly improve health and disease detection in vulnerable mussel populations and facilitate studies to pinpoint the cause(s) of increasing die-offs. Findings also could aid in propagation and restoration efforts of freshwater mussels around the world.

Study ID
D21ZO-802
Study Status
Active
Start Date
10/01/2021
Grant amount awarded
$10,433
Grant recipient
University of Tennessee
Study country
United States
Investigator
Michelle Dennis, DVM, PhD
Study category
Pathology

Freshwater mussels help maintain water purity and river basin biodiversity. However, these important water filterers are increasingly impacted by large scale mortality outbreaks of unknown causes; about 70% of North American freshwater mussels now are considered imperiled. During a die-off investigation, early disease detection (before mussels are dying or dead) presents the best chance of studying a disease and its likely causes. Researchers will investigate whether analysis of hemolymph, the circulatory fluid of mussels (equivalent to blood in mammals), can accurately identify sick mussels. If successful, this new tool could significantly improve health and disease detection in vulnerable mussel populations and facilitate studies to pinpoint the cause(s) of increasing die-offs. Findings also could aid in propagation and restoration efforts of freshwater mussels around the world.