Abstract: Native freshwater mussels are long-lived, sessile, benthic invertebrates that may be extremely susceptible to elevated water temperatures because of their patchy distribution, limited dispersal and mobility, and larval dependence on fish. Recent research suggests that many species may be living close to their upper thermal limits and that some rivers have seen a shift in species composition to more thermally tolerant mussel species. We tested the hypothesis that elevated water temperatures (20, 25, 30, and 35°C) adversely affected the survival and physiology of juvenile mussels and physiology of adult mussels. In juveniles, the 28-d LT50s ranged from 25.3 to 30.3°C. H eart rate was significantly affected...
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