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James D Austin

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An important physiological constraint influencing distributions of coastal freshwater organisms is their tolerance for saline conditions. We experimentally evaluated salinity tolerance for three freshwater mussel species (Utterbackia imbecillis, Elliptio jayensis, and Glebula rotundata). Mussels were transferred abruptly from well water to one of five treatments (0 [control], 6, 12, 18 or 24 parts per thousand [ppt]) with no acclimation. Utterbackia imbecillis survived on average about 2 days at treatments ≥ 6 ppt, while Elliptio jayensis survived slightly longer (about 4 days). Glebula rotundata was most tolerant to salinity, surviving as well at 6 and 12 ppt as it did in the control. Additionally, G. rotundata...
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We examined species boundaries within an imperiled group of freshwater mussels in the genus Cyclonaias (Bivalvia: Unionidae) using morphometrics, molecular phylogenetics, and multispecies coalescent models to help guide pending conservation assessments and legislative decisions. Congruence across all lines of evidence indicated that current taxonomy overestimates diversity in the C. pustulosa species complex, while underestimating diversity in the C. nodulata species complex. Here we provide all molecular, morphological, and collection information collected and analyzed in our investigation.
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