Wavy-rayed lampmussel
Lampsilis fasciola, the wavy-rayed lampmussel, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.
Wavy-rayed lampmussels are historically distributed throughout Southern Ontario as well as 13 U.S. States including the Ohio watershed. In Ontario the mussel has been confirmed in at least four watersheds: the Ausable, Grand, Maitland and Thames river. Mussels live in gravel and sand bottoms in medium-sized streams but are particularly sensitive to changes in their environment. Typically the mussels are found in streams with good currents, and near to riffles, and are rarely found in medium-sized rivers.Like many mussels, the larvae of this species are parasitic and affix themselves to fish hosts. At this stage the larvae consume nutrients from the fish body until they develop into juvenile mussels, and drop off. Fish hosts used by the wavy-rayed lampmussel include the largemouth bass and the smallmouth bass. These fish hosts are especially important to ensure healthy mussel populations.
Like many fresh water mussels, the wavy-rayed lampmussel is extremely sensitive to changes in water quality. This includes chemical contaminants entering its habitat such as copper, ammonia and chloride, particularly during their glochidial and juvenile life phases. This, along with loss of habitat has caused a continuous decrease in the mussel's populations. Additionally, the introduction of the invasive zebra mussel has resulted in even greater reductions in population. By affixing themselves to hard surfaces the zebra mussels are in direct competition with wavy-rayed lampmussels, and impair their ability to feed, reproduce and move.Smaller population may also be affected by predation by muskrats. Like other mussels, other threats to the wavy-rayed lampmussel include: natural flow alterations, siltation, channel disturbance, point and non-point source pollution, and exotic species (including the aforementioned zebra mussel). Maintenance or establishment of vegetated riparian buffers can help protect mussel habitats from many of their threats.
The Canadian Species at Risk Act listed it in the List of Wildlife Species at Risk as being endangered in Canada. In 2010 the status of the wavy-rayed lampmussel was reassessed for downgrading due to increased populations. Currently it is listed as "Special Concern" under SARA, as of March 2013, and "Special Concern" under COSEWIC, as of April 2010.
