The effects of seasonal temperature and photoperiod manipulation on reproduction in the eastern elliptio Elliptio complanata

The eastern elliptio Elliptio complanata is a species of freshwater mussel common to streams and rivers of the Atlantic Coast. Egg fertilization, larval brooding, and glochidial release are reported to occur within a period of several weeks during early to midsummer. In this study, mussels were exposed to manipulated photoperiod and water temperatures to prolong the availability of glochidia for use in artificial propagation and research. Brooding mussels were collected from Pine Creek, Tioga County, PA, in late December and were housed in groups subjected to one of four environmental treatments: natural temperature and photoperiod, 6-wk delay in natural conditions, 12-wk delay in natural conditions, and natural temperature and photoperiod with a winter low of 10 degrees C. Reproductive activity was monitored for 1 y. Mussels subjected to natural conditions released mature glochidia between 16 degrees C and 19 degrees C with a photoperiod of 15 h of light. Temperature and photoperiod delays of 6 and 12 wk delayed reproduction proportional to the treatment, and constant 10 degrees C winter low temperatures slightly shifted the timing of glochidial release. Survival during the study was high (96%-100%). Data indicate that the seasonal availability of E. complanata glochidia can be extended 3-fold using photoperiod and temperature manipulation.