on the Round Pigtoe - Canada.ca · 2016. 10. 31. · The Canadian population of Pleurobema sintoxia...

COSEWIC Status Appraisal Summary

on the

Round Pigtoe Pleurobema sintoxia

in Canada

ENDANGERED 2014

COSEWIC status appraisal summaries are working documents used in assigning the status of wildlife species suspected of being at risk in Canada. This document may be cited as follows: COSEWIC. 2014. COSEWIC status appraisal summary on the Round Pigtoe Pleurobema sintoxia in

Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xxii pp. (www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm).

Production note: COSEWIC acknowledges Daelyn Woolnough for writing the status appraisal summary on the Round Pigtoe, Pleurobema sintoxia in Canada, prepared under contract with Environment Canada. This status appraisal summary was overseen and edited by Gerry Mackie, Co-chair of the COSEWIC Molluscs Specialist Subcommittee.

For additional copies contact:

COSEWIC Secretariat c/o Canadian Wildlife Service

Environment Canada Ottawa, ON

K1A 0H3

Tel.: 819-953-3215 Fax: 819-994-3684

E-mail: COSEWIC/[email protected] http://www.cosewic.gc.ca

Également disponible en français sous le titre Sommaire du statut de l’espèce du COSEPAC sur le Pleurobème écarlate (Pleurobema sintoxia) au Canada. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2014. Catalogue No. CW69-14/2-41-2014E-PDF ISBN 978-1-100-23922-4

Recycled paper

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COSEWIC Assessment Summary

Assessment Summary – May 2014

Common name Round Pigtoe

Scientific name Pleurobema sintoxia

Status Endangered

Reason for designation This mussel species occupies a small area in the Lake St. Clair watershed and three other watersheds in southern Ontario, where its habitat has been declining in extent and quality. Urban development, agricultural runoff, and impacts from the Zebra Mussel and the Round Goby are threatening the survival of the species in Canada.

Occurrence Ontario

Status history Designated Endangered in May 2004. Status re-examined and confirmed in May 2014.

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COSEWIC Status Appraisal Summary

Wildlife species: Change in eligibility, taxonomy or designatable units: yes no unk Explanation: The Canadian population of Pleurobema sintoxia remains as one designatable unit and there has been no change in the formal taxonomy. The authority for classification for aquatic molluscs in Canada is Turgeon et al. (1998). Although there has been significant information published on the unionid tribe Pleurobemini since 2004 (COSEWIC 2004), this tribe is poorly understood phylogenetically (Campbell et al. 2005, 2008). Campbell and Lydeard (2012) suggest that based on molecular data a new genus, Sintoxia, be erected that would encompass Pleurobema sintoxia and related species, including P. cordatum, P. riddellii and P. rubrum. The change to the genus Sintoxia has yet to be formally established.

Range: Change in Extent of Occurrence (EO): yes no unk Change in Area of Occupancy (AO): yes no unk Change in number of known or inferred current locations: yes no unk Significant new survey information: yes no Explanation: Extent of Occurrence (EO) COSEWIC (2004) calculated EO at 12,360 km2. With the data used from COSEWIC (2004) a recalculation within Canada’s extent of jurisdiction EO was 10,224 km2; with Canada and US jurisdiction EO would be 10,309 km2 (Figure 1). The current calculated EO for 2003-2012 data is 3,018 km2 (Figure 2). The apparent 70.5% decline since last report is, in part, inferred from presumed extirpations at a number of sites that lack recent survey information, including the Niagara River (see Number of Locations), Pelee Island, and Holiday Beach Conservation area (Lake Erie), and Long Point. The Niagara River unionid communities have been impacted by the Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), and 2011 surveys on the US side of the river (two sites) showed no evidence of live or weathered shells of P. sintoxia (Zanatta pers. comm. 2014). These two US sites were within 5 km of the two most southern historic Niagara River sites (both upstream of Niagara Falls (Zanatta pers. comm. 2014)). While the historical EO (pre-2002, which includes pre-1994 data) was 26,592 km2 (COSEWIC 2004) and the current EO is 3,018 km2 the percent decline over 3 generations (one generation >10 yrs) is unknown but likely >70.5% for the last 20 yrs. Part of the 20-year decline is due in part to increased search effort over time (not always recorded) but some subpopulations have also been lost, so 70.5% decline is based on best available information. Severely Fragmented The populations are not severely fragmented according to IUCN criteria.

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Index of Area of Occupancy (IAO) IAO was not calculated in the 2004 status report but AO was estimated at ~15 km2. This included 8 km2 in Lake St. Clair delta, a 0.5 km reach of Bear Creek/North Sydenham River (~0.01 km2), a 75 km reach of East Sydenham River (~2 km2), a 0.5 km reach of Middle Thames River (~0.02 km2), and a 45 km reach of lower Grand River (~5 km2). The newly calculated (2 km x 2 km grid) historical IAO (pre-2002) is 300 km2 (75 unique sites) (Figure 3), and the current IAO is 140 km2 for 2003-2012 (35 unique sites) (Figure 4), which represents a 53.3% decline. However, the Niagara River and Lake Erie sites were not included in the 2004 status report so percent historical decline is unknown. Number of Locations COSEWIC (2004) described five locations (Lake St. Clair Delta, Bear Creek [North Sydenham River], East Sydenham River, Middle Thames River, Lower Grand River). The Niagara River, although not surveyed in the past 10 years (on the Canadian side), has significant Zebra Mussel populations and therefore habitat is considered not conducive for successful recruitment or survival of P. sintoxia (COSEWIC 2004) and is not considered a location. The Lake St. Clair Delta and the Sydenham River sites occur in very different physical habitat (i.e., lotic versus lentic) and have different threats. Both of these populations appear to be reproducing and because the threats differ between the two, these sites are considered separate locations (#1 and #2 in Figure 2). Round Pigtoe in the North Sydenham River, site 5, showed no signs of reproduction (Figure 2). The Grand River sites (#4 in Figure 2) and the Thames River sites (#3 in Figure 2; are represented by only 3 animals) and likely have non-reproducing, senescent individuals but could be counted as another two locations. Round Pigtoe was found in McGregor Creek for the first time in 2010 and corresponds to site 6 in Figure 2, but the specimens showed no signs of reproduction. Based on the most severe threats, agricultural runoff and invasive species, the maximum number of locations for P. sintoxia could be considered to be six, but two appear to be not viable (#5 and #6), leaving four locations (Lake St. Clair Delta, Sydenham River, Thames River, and Grand River); of these, two may also be non-reproducing (Thames and Grand rivers) (Figure 2) so minimum number of locations is two. The Lake Erie sites are represented only by weathered shells in the past 10 years (Table 2); therefore this was not counted in the number of locations. New Survey Information Quadrat Surveys Since the COSEWIC 2004 status report there have been significant surveys performed from 2003-2012 in which 11 quadrat (quantitative excavation; much more extensive than traditional timed surveys) surveys found live P. sintoxia in the Sydenham River (n = 8), Thames River (n = 2), and Grand River (n = 1) (Table 1). In a pre-2002 quadrat survey in the Sydenham River (see COSEWIC 2004), P. sintoxia was found at eight quadrat survey sites. Of those sites, the species was recorded again from seven of the eight in the more recent 2003-2012 surveys. One additional site (SR-07, 0.8km west of Shetland, ON) has since been surveyed and one live individual was found. The Bear Creek site (tributary to the North Sydenham River), which had P. sintoxia previously, was re-surveyed by quadrat survey in 2012 and one live P. sintoxia was found. Two quadrat surveys were performed in the Thames River watershed where P. sintoxia had not been reported in the 2004 status report and at both sites live P. sintoxia were found. McGregor Creek, a tributary to the Thames River, was one of the Thames River watershed sites that had been surveyed in 1996 by Dr. Todd Morris (DFO; site TR-47) and no P. sintoxia were found. But, at the same site during a 2010 quadrat survey, two live P. sintoxia were found. The second Thames River site was in the Middle Thames River south of Thamesford and 25 live P. sintoxia were found during a 2004 quadrat survey. Also, six live individuals were found during a 2010 quadrat survey of site GR-21, 1.5 km downstream of York near Mount Healey in the Grand River, where live P. sintoxia had also been previously reported.

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Timed Surveys During 2003-2012 there were 49 separate sampling events where P. sintoxia were found (live or shells, Table 2). Nearly half of these sampling events (n = 24) occurred in Lake St. Clair, which were snorkeling surveys. The Lake St. Clair surveys were all in the delta and were at 11 individual sites. In and around Bass Bay appears to be a stronghold for P. sintoxia, even with the presence of dreissenids, because during this period 251 live P. sintoxia were found. Sampling of Lake St. Clair did not expand the range of P. sintoxia beyond the general localities of the 2004 status report. Fifteen sampling events in the Sydenham River found evidence of P. sintoxia at seven sites during 2003-2012. All these sites were previously reported to have evidence of P. sintoxia in the 2004 status report. Seven of these sampling events in the Sydenham River found more than one and less than five live individuals; the other eight sampling events found only one live P. sintoxia. The Thames River watershed had five separate sampling events where P. sintoxia were found alive at four sites. One site was sampled twice in one year (2004) and 36 live individuals were found (South of Thamesford, TR-31); each of two sites had one live P. sintoxia; one was found in the Middle Thames River, one was found in the South Thames River, and one site (3.35 km downstream of Muncey bridge at a First Nations site) had only two weathered valves of P. sintoxia. Surveys during 2003-2012 of the Grand River had three sampling events, all during 2011, each showing evidence of P. sintoxia, which were all within the historical reach of the species. One site (GR-06, 4.5 km north of Cayuga) was sampled twice that year with the initial survey of 4.5 person-hours (ph) finding one weathered valve and the second survey (5.75 ph) finding six live individuals. At the second Grand River site (GR-05, upstream of York ~2.5 km), surveyors found two live P. sintoxia in 6 ph. Lake Erie was surveyed at two sites; one was a snorkel survey and two weathered valves of P. sintoxia were found; one was strictly a beach survey where two weathered P. sintoxia shells had washed up. Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK) was requested for P. sintoxia but no ATK information was available, nor was it referred to in the COSEWIC (2004) status report. Population Information: Change in number of mature individuals: yes no unk Change in total population trend: yes no unk Change in severity of population fragmentation: yes no unk Change in trend in area and/or quality of habitat: yes no unk Significant new survey information yes no Explanation: While there appear to be changes in the number of individuals at specific sites, the overall changes in numbers of mature individuals of P. sintoxia since the last report are unknown. With comparable search effort (~4.5 ph) during timed searches, there is a change in the number of live P. sintoxia at sites where live individuals were found previously. There was increased search effort from quadrat surveys (Figure 6; Table 1) since the COSEWIC 2004 status report. In general, the numbers of live individuals found were lower in the Lake St. Clair, Sydenham and Middle Thames river sites, with the exception of new sites for which comparisons cannot be made. However, new sites in the Grand River have larger numbers of live individuals than many other sites surveyed in the past, but these individuals are all larger/old animals; this increase in abundance relative to other previously surveyed sites is likely due, in part, to increased search effort using quadrat surveys performed in 2010. Surveys since the last status report in areas between the sites with living P. sintoxia showed no evidence of live individuals. No new dams, crossings or construction appear to have negatively affected the P. sintoxia populations. Extent, area and quality of habitat for P. sintoxia are declining in Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie and Niagara River (if any live individuals exist), and the Sydenham, Thames, and Grand rivers (see Threats). For new survey information see Range.

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Threats: Change in nature and/or severity of threats: yes no unk Explanation: Although the threats calculator was not used in the P. sintoxia 2004 status report (COSEWIC 2004), the report highlighted the following four threat categories to P. sintoxia: Zebra Mussels; anthropogenic stressors (i.e., nutrient loading, toxins, and sedimentation); potential for commercial harvest; change in host community. According to the threats calculator, the future survival of P. sintoxia is likely to be influenced by 12 potential threats (Appendix A). An additional threat, that of dams’ effects on host movement (e.g., potential limitations of movement of P. sintoxia during early life stages) is unknown and could not be assessed, but is documented in Appendix A. These 12 specific threats are categorized into 7 main threats. Climate change and severe weather is a predicted threat in peer review literature but is beyond the timeframe considered in this SAS. Two ‘High’ impacts are from the threats of invasive species, namely Round Gobies (Neogobius melanostomus), Zebra and Quagga Mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis), and pollution, including that from oil drilling and pipeline crossings in southwestern Ontario, as emphasized by the nearby Kalamazoo River oil spill in Michigan. Three million litres of bitumen oil were spilled and covered ~48 river km. There is still evidence of oil in the benthic zone after two years (Woolnough and Parker 2013). The same pipeline that caused the Kalamazoo River oil spill crosses into Canada in southwestern Ontario and is within the Sydenham and Thames Rivers (Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers 2014). Agricultural inputs occur in all watersheds in which P. sintoxia occurs (see COSEWIC 2004), but especially the riverine sites. For more detail on these high-impact threats see Appendix A. Details of the low and negligible impact threats are outlined in Appendix A. The threats calculator summary highlights the watershed where these threats to P. sintoxia are probable in the future. If watershed(s) are not mentioned explicitly then all sites are affected by that threat. References beyond those cited in COSEWIC 2004 (e.g., climate change) that relate directly to P. sintoxia or unionids in general are included within the comments section of the threats calculator (Appendix A). Past and ongoing threats have had negative effects on the populations of P. sintoxia and sympatric unionid communities. These ongoing threats include impoundments in the Grand River, which are likely influencing host movement and therefore dispersal of P. sintoxia in the past. Also, invasive species (i.e., Zebra Mussels and Quagga Mussels) influence on the Lake St. Clair delta population has occurred in the past and is ongoing; however, the P. sintoxia sites appear to have reproducing individuals, as evidenced by small animals. Invasive species are a larger ongoing threat to the Lake St. Clair populations, whereas agriculture is the dominant threat in the riverine sites. Protection: Change in effective protection: yes no Explanation: Pleurobema sintoxia is listed under Schedule 1 (Subsections 2(1), 42(2) and 68(2)) of Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA), which affords measures that protect and recover this species; critical habitat of P. sintoxia has yet to be protected under SARA. In 2007 the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources enacted the Ontario Endangered Species Act (ESA). Pleurobema sintoxia is now listed as Endangered under the ESA with individuals more broadly protected than with previous Ontario legislation and general habitat protection came into effect June 30, 2013 (Sections 9 and 10). In June 2012, Bill-C38 passed and made changes to the federal Fisheries Act that will change the effective protection of P. sintoxia. The Fisheries Act now only covers fish (including shellfish) that are “commercial, recreational or Aboriginal fishery” [subsection 35(1)] and therefore P. sintoxia would no longer be protected under the Fisheries Act.

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As stated in COSEWIC (2004), the Round Pigtoe population in Lake St. Clair is located entirely within the territory of the Walpole Island First Nation (WIFN). Special user permits are required to access First Nation territory and waters, which limits human disturbance in the area. Ecosystem recovery strategies have been developed for mussel species at risk, including P. sintoxia, in the Sydenham River (Dextrase et al. 2003) and Thames River (Thames River Recovery Team 2003, see Cudmore et al. 2004). A Recovery Action Plan (2003) for the Sydenham River has been established (Sydenham River Recovery Action Group 2003). A five-species federal recovery strategy (Morris and Burridge 2010), as well as one for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (Morris and Burridge 2010), includes P. sintoxia and highlights the biological and technical feasibility of recovery. The Fisheries Management Plan for the Grand River focuses on fish species but likely the actions provide some protection for P. sintoxia as well as their hosts (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources 2004).

Rescue Effect: Evidence of rescue effect: yes no Explanation: Pleurobema sintoxia still occurs in 19 US states in addition to the Ontario populations. It is afforded some protection in states where it is listed as endangered (Iowa, Pennsylvania), threatened (Minnesota), and special concern (Michigan, Wisconsin). Although this species has protection in these states, it has not changed throughout the US where many of the occurrences have viable populations (NatureServe 2013). Recent surveys of the Niagara River on the US side (< 5 km from the historic Canadian sampling sites) have not shown any live individuals that could aid in natural rescue (Zanatta pers. comm. 2014). The populations in Kentucky appear the largest and are showing evidence of recruitment (Cicerello and Schuster 2003). However, natural rescue is likely low and there is no current evidence of any rescue due to invasive species prohibiting reproduction and therefore immigration to the Canadian populations (see Additional Considerations for potential augmentation rescue). Quantitative Analysis: Change in estimated probability of extirpation: yes no unk Details: Potential for quantitative analysis was not included in previous status report (COSEWIC 2004). Although P. sintoxia has not been modelled explicitly there have been advances in estimating probabilities of extirpation of native freshwater mussels. Ricciardi and Rasmussen (1999) estimate recent extinction rates for freshwater mussels as 1.2% loss per decade using data from this century, and 6.4% loss per decade as a future extinction rate (next century). Also, Spooner et al. (2011) estimate that upwards of 60% of the Great Lakes Drainage unionid fauna and on average 35% of the unionid community could be extirpated due to cumulative effects of changes in flow regime (i.e., change in water quantity due to climate change) and loss of host fish. Also, Berg et al. (2008) have outlined a model to link demographic and population genetics of freshwater mussels to create population viability analyses (PVA). Information that is readily available for P. sintoxia could contribute to the potential PVA for P. sintoxia, especially for linking the genetics (see Wildlife Species) and demographics (COSEWIC 2004) of P. sintoxia.

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Summary and Additional Considerations: Pleurobema sintoxia occurs in 19 states and the province of Ontario. Range-wide trends for this species are relatively stable and even increasing in Minnesota (Sietman 2003; NatureServe 2013). Pleurobema sintoxia could be extirpated from the Niagara River and Lake Erie; 2011 surveys at two sites on the US side of the Niagara River found no P. sintoxia or weathered valves (three other live species, of similar size, were found), which supports the potential extirpation of P. sintoxia from the Niagara River; however, more surveys are needed on the Canadian side of the Niagara River for confirmation. The populations in Lake St. Clair and Sydenham, Thames and Grand Rivers appear to be variable in size (Figure 6) likely due to the variability in threats and various search effort; however, no quantitative data are available to support these general observations. The Center for Mollusk Conservation in Kentucky has been successful in producing metamorphosed P. sintoxia juveniles in captivity (Owen pers. comm. 2013). The University of Guelph and Central Michigan University are two facilities that specialize in host fish testing and propagation of Great Lakes species, and therefore there is the potential for producing laboratory-raised juveniles for eventual release to augment current P. sintoxia populations once habitat and genetic testing are performed. Hoftyzer et al. (2008) outline precautions and implications of reintroducing laboratory-raised juveniles into natural habitats.

Contacted for updated information for SAS: *Denotes that information was provided by authority contacted. Benoit, Dan. December 2012. COSEWIC ATK Subcommittee *Mackie, Gerald, December 2012, January and February 2013. Professor Emeritus,

Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, or Water Systems Analysts, 23 Avra Court Guelph, ON N1H 7B2, [email protected]

*McNichols-O’Rourke, Kelly. December 2012, January 2013. Aquatic Science Technician, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Burlington, Ontario Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Burlington, Ontario, Kelly.McNichols-O'[email protected]

*Morris, Todd. December 2012. Research Scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Burlington, Ontario, [email protected]

*Owen, Christopher. June 21, 2012. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Frankfort, Kentucky, [email protected]

*Zanatta, David. December 2012, January 2013. Assistant Professor, Institute for Great Lakes Research, Biology 83 Department, Central Michigan University, 156 Brooks Hall, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, [email protected]

Information Sources: Berg, D.J., T.D. Levine, J.A Stoeckel, and B K. Lang. 2008. A conceptual model linking

demography and population genetics of freshwater mussels. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 27:395-408.

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

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Campbell, D.C., and C. Lydeard. 2012. The genera of Pleurobemini (Bivalvia: Unionidae: Ambleminae). American Malacological Bulletin 30(1):19-38.

Campbell, D.C., P.D. Johnson, J.D. Williams, A.K. Rindsberg, J.M. Serb, K.K. Small, and C. Lydeard. 2008. Identification of ‘extinct’ freshwater mussel species using DNA barcoding. Molecular Ecology Resources 8:711-724.

Campbell, D.C., J.M. Serb, J.E. Buhay, K.J. Robe, R.L. Minton, and C. Lydeard. 2005. Phylogeny of North American amblemines (Bivalvia, Unionoida): Prodigious polyphyly proves pervasive across genera. Invertebrate Biology 124:131-164.

Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. 2014. Map of Canadian and U.S. pipelines and refineries. Web site: http://www.capp.ca/canadaIndustry/oil/Pages/PipelineMap.aspx. [accessed February 2014].

Cicerello, R.R., and G.A. Schuster. 2003. A Guide to the Freshwater Mussels of Kentucky. Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission. Louisville. 62 pp.

COSEWIC 2004. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the round pigtoe Pleurobema sintoxia in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vi + 33 pp. Web site: www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm [accessed December 2012]..

Cudmore, B., C.A. MacKinnon, and S.E. Madzia. 2004. Aquatic species at risk in the Thames River watershed, Ontario. Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 2707: v + 123 pp.

Dextrase, A.J., S.K. Staton, and J.L. Metcalfe-Smith. 2003. National Recovery Strategy for Species at Risk in the Sydenham River: An Ecosystem Approach. National Recovery Plan No. 25. Recovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife (RENEW). Ottawa, Ontario. 73 pp.

Gillis, P.L. 2011. Assessing the toxicity of sodium chloride to the glochidia of freshwater mussels: implications for salinization of surface waters. Environmental Pollution 159(6):1702-1708.

Haag, W.R. and A.L. Rypel. 2011. Growth and longevity in freshwater mussels: evolutionary and conservation implications. Biological Reviews 86:225-247.

Hoftyzer, E., J.D. Ackerman, T.J. Morris, and G.L. Mackie. 2008. Genetic and environmental implications of reintroducing laboratory-raised unionid mussels to the wild. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 65:1217-1229.

Morris, T.J., and M. Burridge. 2010. Recovery Strategy for the Northern Riffleshell (Epioblasma torulosa rangiana), Snuffbox (Epioblasma triquetra), Round Pigtoe (Pleurobema sintoxia), Mudpuppy Mussel (Simpsonaias ambigua) and Rayed Bean (Villosa fabalis) in Ontario. Ontario Recovery Strategy Series. Prepared for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough, Ontario. ii + 4 pp. + Appendix viii + 76 pp.

http://www.capp.ca/canadaIndustry/oil/Pages/PipelineMap.aspxhttp://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm

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NatureServe. 2013. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Web site: http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. [Accessed February 2013].

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. 2004. Grand River Tailwater Fisheries Management Plan: 2005– 2010. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources—Guelph District. 36 pp.

Owen, C., pers. comm.. 2013. Email correspondence to D. Woolnough. May 2012. Malacologist, Center for Mollusk Conservation, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources. Frankfort, Kentucky, USA.

Poos, M., A.J. Dextrase, A.N. Schwalb, and J.D. Ackerman. 2010. Secondary invasion of the round goby into high diversity Great Lakes tributaries and species at risk hotspots: potential new concerns for endangered freshwater species. Biological Invasions 12(5):1269-1284.

Ricciardi, A., S. Avlijas,, and J. Marty. 2012. Forecasting the ecological impacts of the Hemimysis anomala invasion in North America: Lessons from other freshwater mysid introductions. Journal of Great Lakes Research 38:7-13.

Ricciardi, A., and J.B. Rasmussen. 1999. Extinction rates of North American freshwater fauna. Conservation Biology 13:1220-1222.

Sietman, B.E. 2003. Field guide to the freshwater mussels of Minnesota. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul, Minnesota. 144 pp.

Singer, E.E., and M.M. Gangloff. 2011. Effects of a small dam on freshwater mussel growth in an Alabama (USA) stream. Freshwater Biology 56;1904-1915.

Spooner, D.E., M.A. Xenopoulos, C. Schneider, and D.A. Woolnough. 2011. Co-extirpation of host-affiliate relationships in rivers: The role of climate change, water withdrawal, and host-specificity. Global Change Biology 17:1720-1732.

Sydenham River Recovery Action Group. 2003. Recovery action plans for species at risk in the Sydenham River. Web site: http://www.sydenhamriver.on.ca/Publications/Recovery_Action_Plans_Sydenham.pdf [accessed September 2013)

Turgeon, D.D., J.F. Quinn, Jr., A.E. Bogan, E.V. Coan, F.G. Hochberg, W.G. Lyons, P.M. Mikkelsen, R.J. Neves, C.F.E. Roper, G. Rosenberg, B. Roth, A. Scheltema, F.G. Thompson, M. Vecchione, and J.D. Williams.1998. Common and scientific names of aquatic invertebrates from the United States and Canada: Mollusks. 2nd Edition. American Fisheries Society Special Publication 26:ix-526.

US Environmental Protection Agency. 2013. EPA’s Response to Enbrige Oil Spill. Web site: http://www.epa.gov/enbridgespill/ [accessed September 2013].

Woolnough, D.A., and S. Parker. 2013. Unionid assemblage response to a tar sands oil spill in the Kalamazoo River, Michigan USA. Presentation at the World Congress of Malacology, Azores. July 2013.

Zanatta, D.T. 2014. Email and phone conversation to D. Woolnough. February 2014. Associate

http://www.sydenhamriver.on.ca/Publications/Recovery_Action_Plans_Sydenham.pdfhttp://www.sydenhamriver.on.ca/Publications/Recovery_Action_Plans_Sydenham.pdfhttp://www.epa.gov/enbridgespill/

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Professor, Malacologist, Biology Department, Central Michigan Univesity, Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA.

Table 1. Quadrat surveys that found Pleurobema sintoxia present in Canada from 2003-2012. Quadrat surveys consist of excavation surveys of ~20% of 400 m2. Shells were either not recorded or not found during these surveys. Live column is the total # of live P. sintoxia found at that site for all surveys of the unique locality. Sample sites are numbered based on date of earliest sampling rather than specific locality (e.g., latitude and longitude); specific locality information is housed in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans database. Site numbers are not related to those in Figure 2; see text for explanation. Waterbody Site Number Number of Surveys (2003-2012) Live

Grand River Site 1 1 6

Sydenham River Site 1 1 3





Bear Creek Site 6 (Bear Creek) 1 1


Middle Thames River Site 1 1 10

Thames River – McGregor Creek Site 2 1 2

Table 2. Surveys that found Pleurobema sintoxia present in Canada from 2003-2012. Live column is the total # of live P. sintoxia found at that site for all surveys at the unique locality. Sample sites are numbered based on date of earliest sampling rather than on specific locality (e.g., latitude and longitude); specific site information is housed in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans database. Not all methods or efforts were recorded but the best available data are in the Method/Effort column. ? indicates unknown or not recorded for the total person-hours surveyed. Site numbers do not correspond to sites in the Figure 2; see text for details.

Waterbody Site Number Number of Surveys (2003-2012)

Live Fresh Shells (Whole)

Weathered Shells (Whole)

Weathered Shells (valve)

Method/Effort (person-hours)

Grand River Site 1 2 6 0 1 0 Timed/10.25

Grand River Site 2 1 0 0 0 Timed/6

Lake Erie Site 1 1 0 0 0 2 Snorkel/1.5

Lake Erie Site 2 1 0 0 0 2 Visual beach search/?

Lake St. Clair Site 1 1 1 0 0 0 Snorkel/3.5

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Waterbody Site Number Number of Surveys (2003-2012)

Live Fresh Shells (Whole)

Weathered Shells (Whole)

Weathered Shells (valve)

Method/Effort (person-hours)

Lake St. Clair Site 2 3 87 0 0 0 Stake & rope (x2)/? + half hectare/?

Lake St. Clair Site 3 3 15 0 0 0 Stake & rope (x2)/? + 3 100m transects/?

Lake St. Clair Site 4 1 45 0 0 0 Snorkel/4

Lake St. Clair Site 5 3 79 0 0 0

Stake & rope/? + untimed species relocation + unknown survey

Lake St. Clair Site 6 5 74 0 0 0 Stake & rope (x2)/? + half hectare/?

Lake St. Clair Site 7 4 67 0 0 0 (x2)/? + quantitative/2 + half hectare (x2)/2+stake & rope/?

Lake St. Clair Site 8 2 4 0 0 0 Stake & rope (x2)/?

Lake St. Clair Site 9 1 3 0 0 0 Snorkel/3

Lake St. Clair Site 10 3 10 0 0 0 Timed/(3x30 min) + Stake & rope (x2)/?

Lake St. Clair Site 11 1 0 1 0 0 Stake & rope /?



Middle Thames River Site 1 2 36 0 0 0

Timed/4.5 + quantitative/?

Middle Thames River Site 1 1 1 0 0 0

Incidental observation/?

South Thames River Site 1 1 1 0 0 0 Timed/4.5

Sydenham River Site 1 6 13 0 0 0 Timed/26.25 + unknown methods (x2)/?

Sydenham River Site 2 1 2 0 0 0 Timed/5.1

Sydenham River Site 3 3 3 0 0 0 Timed/12.75 + unknown search methods(x2)/?

Sydenham River Site 4 1 2 0 0 0 Unknown/?




Thames River Site 1 1 0 0 0 0 Timed/4.5

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Figure 1. Historical extent of occurrence for Pleurobema sintoxia, which shows all records (live, fresh, and

weathered shells) from 1885 to 2012 and is based on minimum convex polygon within Canada’s extent of jurisdiction. COSEWIC (2004) states EO = 12,360 km2, recalculation with US EO = 10,309 km2, within Canada’s extent of jurisdiction EO = 10,224 km2.

Figure 2. Current extent of occurrence for Pleurobema sintoxia, which shows sites of live and fresh shells (whole) from 2003 to present. EO = 3,018 km2. Red circles indicate viable and reproducing locations. Locations 1 and 2 have large numbers of reproducing individuals. Purple circles indicate locations with large/old individuals with no signs of reproduction and/or low numbers. Location 3 represents only large/old individuals which are potentially not reproducing. Location 4 is only 2 sites with 8 large/old individuals. Location 5, Bear Creek of North Sydenham River represents only 2 individuals that appeared not viable. Location 6, McGregor Creek of Thames River, represents two live animals that appeared likely not viable.

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Figure 3. Historical index of area of occupancy for Pleurobema sintoxia (pre-2002). 2 km x 2 km grid IAO calculation based on above; replicates of exact sites were combined to one site.

Figure 4. 2002- 2012 index of area of occupancy for Pleurobema sintoxia. 2 km x 2 km grid AO calculation based on above; replicates of exact sites were combined to one site.

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Figure 5. 2002- 2012 index of area of occupancy (dissolved) for Pleurobema sintoxia. 2 km x 2 km grid IAO calculation based on above; replicates of exact sites were combined to one site being part of one location and overlapping grid cells were hence dissolved (see insert for example).

Figure 6. Live Pleurobema sintoxia from individual site surveys (timed and quadrat) pre-2003 (red) and 2003-2012 (green).

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Appendix A: Threats Calculator

Threat No.

Threat Description Threat Impact Scope Severity Timing Comments

1.1 Housing & urban areas C Medium Restricted (11-30%)

Serious (31-70%)

High (Continuing) Grand River Watershed see Pollution 9.1

1.3 Tourism & recreation areas See 5.4 and 6.1

2 Agriculture & aquaculture D Low Small (1-10%)

Extreme (71-100%)

High (Continuing)

2.3 Livestock farming & ranching D Low Small (1-10%)

Extreme (71-100%)

High (Continuing)

Throughout Sydenham and Thames Watersheds (Lake St. Clair Drainage), trampling in the river on animals (likely around the low end of 1-10%)

4 Transportation & service corridors Negligible Negligible (

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Threat No.

Threat Description Threat Impact Scope Severity Timing Comments

9.3 Agricultural & forestry effluents B High Pervasive (71-100%)

Serious (31-70%)

High (Continuing)

Tiles throughout Sydenham and Thames watersheds (which flow into Lake St. Clair). Nutrient input from tiles, direct from agricultural land use. Sediment, bacteria, FPOM, CPOM.

11 Climate change & severe weather

Not Calculated (outside assessment timeframe)

Pervasive (71-100%)

Serious (31-70%)

Low (Possibly in the long term, >10 yrs/3 gen)

11.1 Habitat shifting & alteration


Pervasive (71-100%)

Serious (31-70%)


Unstable habitat shifts during events moving adult mussels downstream to potentially sub-optimal habitat. Potential shift in host fish community. Estimated losses of freshwater mussels due to climate change in North America up to 70% and in the Great Lakes Region >40 % (Spooner et al. 2008). This is a 60-year prediction.

11.2 Droughts


Pervasive (71-100%)

Serious (31-70%)


Water quantity declining in Great Lakes inland rivers; desiccation, inability to reproduce (suitable host availability due to declining populations and habitat loss). Spooner et al. 2008. This is a 60-year prediction.

11.3 Temperature extremes


Pervasive (71-100%)

Serious (31-70%)


Temperature increases due to increases in CO2- increase in water temperatures and unknown changes in reproduction, survival, perhaps to lethal levels (esp. glochidia and juveniles). This is a 60-year prediction.

11.4 Storms & flooding


Pervasive (71-100%)

Serious (31-70%)


See Spooner et al. 2008. This is a 60-year prediction.

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TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Pleurobema sintoxia Round Pigtoe Pleurobème écarlate Range of occurrence in Canada: Ontario Demographic Information Generation time (usually average age of parents in the population; indicate

if another method of estimating generation time indicated in the IUCN guidelines(2008) is being used). Average maximum average age for Pleurobemini is 32 (Haag and Rypel 2011) and although average age or reproductive age of these populations are unknown it can be assumed that generation time likely exceeds 10 years.

>10 yrs

Is there a continuing decline in number of mature individuals? Assumed from decline in IAO

Will decline

Estimated percent of continuing decline in total number of mature individuals within 2 generations. Unsure of the maturity of the individuals.

Unknown

Inferred percent reduction in total number of mature individuals over the last 3 generations. Unsure of the maturity of the individuals.

Unknown

Projected percent reduction in total number of mature individuals over the next 3 generations. Unsure of the maturity of the individuals.

Unknown

Observed percent reduction in total number of mature individuals over any 3 generation period, over a time period including both the past and the future. Unsure of the maturity of the individuals.

Unknown

Are the causes of the decline clearly reversible and understood and ceased? Invasive species and climate change non-reversible and understood but not ceasing. Pollution likely reversible and understood. For more info see Threats calculator (Appendix A).

Probability of reversing causes low to not possible. Causes understood.

Are there extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals? Not noted during recent surveys

Unlikely

Extent and Occupancy Information Estimated extent of occurrence 3,018 km² Index of area of occupancy (IAO)

(Always report 2x2 grid value). 140 km²

Is the population severely fragmented? No Number of locations∗

1) Lake St. Clair Delta 2) Sydenham River 3) Thames River (Upper reach)- possibly not viable 4) Grand River- possibly not viable

2-4 (Locations with signs of reproduction = 2)

Is there an observed continuing decline in extent of occurrence? 10,224 km2 to 3,018 km² is a 70.5 % decline, but may be due to lack of surveys for some sites.

Yes

Is there an observed continuing decline in index of area of occupancy? 300 km2 to 140 km2 a 53.3% decline, but may be due to lack of surveys for some sites.

Yes

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Is there an observed continuing decline in number of populations? Lake Erie site only represented by weathered shells and Niagara river sites likely extirpated. Thames River population not reproducing, most upstream sites all adults and no signs of reproduction. Grand River population mostly large individuals showing no signs of reproduction. Oil Springs location (North Sydenham) as well as the South Thames has no signs of reproduction and low number(s) of animals.

Yes

Is there an observed continuing decline in number of locations*? Using current definition for locations the five locations in the 2004 Status Report are now considered as four (or two) locations so there is a decline in overall number of locations with a projection that it is declining into the future (2004 there were five location and currently there are four to two locations).

Yes

Is there an observed continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat? Invasive species increasing in Lake St. Clair drainage (e.g., Round Goby), agriculture and pollution effects especially from roads increasing in both watersheds.

Yes (area, extent and quality)

Are there extreme fluctuations in number of populations? No Are there extreme fluctuations in number of locations∗?

See above comment No

Are there extreme fluctuations in extent of occurrence? Niagara River and Lake Erie sites could be extirpated but further surveys are needed on the Canadian side of the river.

No

Are there extreme fluctuations in index of area of occupancy? 33 versus 75 unique sampling sites where P. sintoxia was found however these numbers are due to sampling effort with no evidence showing extreme fluctuations in the index of area of occupancy.

No

Number of Mature Individuals (in each population) Population N Mature Individuals 1) Grand River 2) Lake St. Clair drainage

> 100 thousands

Total thousands Quantitative Analysis Probability of extinction in the wild Not enough data to calculate

Unknown

Threats (actual or imminent, to populations or habitats) There are twelve potential threats that are known to effect P. sintoxia. The potential of dams limiting P. sintoxia host movement (e.g., therefore potential limitations of movement of P. sintoxia during early life stage while attached to the host) is unknown and could not be assessed. These 12 specific threats are categorized into seven main threats. One main threat, climate change and severe weather, is predicted in peer review literature but is beyond the timeframe considered in the SAS. Two threats that have ‘High’ impacts on P. sintoxia are invasive species and pollution. Agricultural inputs occur in all of the watersheds that P. sintoxia occur but especially the riverine sites; invasive species are the largest ongoing threat to the Lake St. Clair sites.

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Rescue Effect (immigration from outside Canada) Status of outside population(s)? Alabama (S1), Arkansas (S3), Illinois (SNR), Indiana (S3), Iowa (S1), Kansas (S2), Kentucky (S4S5), Michigan (S2S3), Minnesota (S2), Missouri (S4), Nebraska (SNR), New York (S1), Ohio (S3), Oklahoma (S4), Pennsylvania (S2), South Dakota (S1), Tennessee (S4), West Virginia (S2), Wisconsin (S3). US: N4N5 (2007) Global Status: G4G5 (2009)

Is immigration known or possible? Immigration may be possible from the Michigan populations to the Lake St. Clair locations. Also, Ohio populations (from inland rivers and Lake Erie coast) could immigrate to the Canadian Lake Erie locations. It is possible that US Niagara River populations (if viable) could immigrate to the historical Niagara river locations.

Unknown but possible

Would immigrants be adapted to survive in Canada? Unlikely given invasive species and pollution they would need to adapt to.

Unknown

Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants in Canada? Probably not because habitat availability is restricted due to invasive species use of habitat.

Probably not

Is rescue from outside populations likely? No. Natural rescue is highly unlikely.

No, not natural rescue.

Data Sensitive Species Is this a data sensitive species? Yes Status History Designated Endangered in May 2004. Status re-examined and confirmed in May 2014 Status and Reasons for Designation: Status: Endangered

Alpha-numeric code: B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)

Reasons for designation: This mussel species occupies a small area in the Lake St. Clair watershed and three other watersheds in southern Ontario, where its habitat has been declining in extent and quality. Urban development, agricultural runoff, and impacts from the Zebra Mussel and the Round Goby are threatening the survival of the species in Canada. Applicability of Criteria Criterion A: Not applicable because Zebra Mussels are no longer considered a threat in the Delta St. Clair region. The south Thames River loss may result in a reduction of EO but not necessarily a reduction of greater than 30% of mature individuals. Criterion B: Meets EN B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) since the EO is less than 5,000km², the IAO is less than 500km², is known to exist at less than five locations and there are continuing declines in the IAO, in the area, extent and quality of habitat, in the number of locations, and in the number of mature individuals. Criterion C: Not applicable. Number of mature individuals is unknown. Criterion D: Not applicable. Total number of mature individuals is possibly more than 1000. Criterion E: Not applicable.

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COSEWIC HISTORY The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) was created in 1977 as a result of a recommendation at the Federal-Provincial Wildlife Conference held in 1976. It arose from the need for a single, official, scientifically sound, national listing of wildlife species at risk. In 1978, COSEWIC designated its first species and produced its first list of Canadian species at risk. Species designated at meetings of the full committee are added to the list. On June 5, 2003, the Species at Risk Act (SARA) was proclaimed. SARA establishes COSEWIC as an advisory body ensuring that species will continue to be assessed under a rigorous and independent scientific process.

COSEWIC MANDATE

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assesses the national status of wild species, subspecies, varieties, or other designatable units that are considered to be at risk in Canada. Designations are made on native species for the following taxonomic groups: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, arthropods, molluscs, vascular plants, mosses, and lichens.

COSEWIC MEMBERSHIP

COSEWIC comprises members from each provincial and territorial government wildlife agency, four federal entities (Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada Agency, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Federal Biodiversity Information Partnership, chaired by the Canadian Museum of Nature), three non-government science members and the co-chairs of the species specialist subcommittees and the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge subcommittee. The Committee meets to consider status reports on candidate species.

DEFINITIONS (2014)

Wildlife Species A species, subspecies, variety, or geographically or genetically distinct population of animal, plant or other organism, other than a bacterium or virus, that is wild by nature and is either native to Canada or has extended its range into Canada without human intervention and has been present in Canada for at least 50 years.

Extinct (X) A wildlife species that no longer exists. Extirpated (XT) A wildlife species no longer existing in the wild in Canada, but occurring elsewhere. Endangered (E) A wildlife species facing imminent extirpation or extinction. Threatened (T) A wildlife species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed. Special Concern (SC)* A wildlife species that may become a threatened or an endangered species because of a

combination of biological characteristics and identified threats. Not at Risk (NAR)** A wildlife species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the

current circumstances. Data Deficient (DD)*** A category that applies when the available information is insufficient (a) to resolve a

species’ eligibility for assessment or (b) to permit an assessment of the species’ risk of extinction.

* Formerly described as “Vulnerable” from 1990 to 1999, or “Rare” prior to 1990. ** Formerly described as “Not In Any Category”, or “No Designation Required.” *** Formerly described as “Indeterminate” from 1994 to 1999 or “ISIBD” (insufficient scientific information on which

to base a designation) prior to 1994. Definition of the (DD) category revised in 2006.

The Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, provides full administrative and financial support to the COSEWIC Secretariat.

COSEWIC Status Appraisal SummaryCOSEWIC Assessment SummaryCOSEWIC Status Appraisal SummaryContacted for updated information for SAS:Information Sources:Table 1. Quadrat surveys that found Pleurobema sintoxia present in Canada from 2003-2012. Quadrat surveys consist of excavation surveys of ~20% of 400 m2. Shells were either not recorded or not found during these surveys. Live column is the total # of...Table 2. Surveys that found Pleurobema sintoxia present in Canada from 2003-2012. Live column is the total # of live P. sintoxia found at that site for all surveys at the unique locality. Sample sites are numbered based on date of earliest sampling ra...Figure 1. Historical extent of occurrence for Pleurobema sintoxia, which shows all records (live, fresh, and weathered shells) from 1885 to 2012 and is based on minimum convex polygon within Canada’s extent of jurisdiction. COSEWIC (2004) states EO = ...Figure 2. Current extent of occurrence for Pleurobema sintoxia, which shows sites of live and fresh shells (whole) from 2003 to present. EO = 3,018 km2. Red circles indicate viable and reproducing locations. Locations 1 and 2 have large numbers of rep...Figure 3. Historical index of area of occupancy for Pleurobema sintoxia (pre-2002). 2 km x 2 km grid IAO calculation based on above; replicates of exact sites were combined to one site.Figure 4. 2002- 2012 index of area of occupancy for Pleurobema sintoxia. 2 km x 2 km grid AO calculation based on above; replicates of exact sites were combined to one site.Figure 5. 2002- 2012 index of area of occupancy (dissolved) for Pleurobema sintoxia. 2 km x 2 km grid IAO calculation based on above; replicates of exact sites were combined to one site being part of one location and overlapping grid cells were hence ...Figure 6. Live Pleurobema sintoxia from individual site surveys (timed and quadrat) pre-2003 (red) and 2003-2012 (green).Appendix A: Threats CalculatorTECHNICAL SUMMARYCOSEWIC HISTORY

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