4.5 River Basins
established and baseline data gathered in most areas of the basin for fshes and crayfshes, a comprehensive approach to long-term monitoring is still lacking for mussels. Monitoring plans should be coordinated with other existing monitoring programs where feasible. Research. Research topics that facilitate appropriate conservation actions include habitat use and preferences, reproductive behavior, fecundity, population dynamics and genetics, feeding, competition, and food web dynamics. Increased understanding of life histories and status helps determine the vulnerability of priority species to further imperilment, in addition to identifying possibilities for improved management and conservation. All stud- ies should provide recommendations for mitigation and restoration. Formal descriptions for known or putative undescribed species and investigations aimed at resolving taxo- nomic status are needed.
• Resolve taxonomic problems and species descriptions (if required) for mussels in the genera Elliptio and Strophitus , and putative undescribed crayfshes in the basin.
• Investigate impacts from habitat fragmentation and invasive species in the basin.
• Investigate aquatic community response to stream restoration projects in priority areas.
• Support research to improve habitat conditions in regulated rivers.
In addition to the SGCN species found in the basin (see Table 4.45), a list of knowledge-gap priority species is provided in Table 4.46.
T ABLE 4.46 Knowledge-gap priority species in the Broad River Basin
Federal/ State Status*
Taxa Group CRAYFISH
Scientifc Name
Common Name
Cambarus howardi Cambarus johni Cyprinella labrosa Cyprinella zanema Notropis rubricroceus
Chattahoochee Crayfsh Carolina Foothills Crayfsh
— — — — — — — —
FISH
Ticklip Chub Santee Chub
Safron Shiner [Nonnative in this basin]
Corbicula fuminea
MUSSEL
Asian Clam [Exotic]
Elliptio icterina
Variable Spike Eastern Floater
Pyganodon cataracta Strophitus undulatus Utterbackia imbecillis
Creeper
—/T
Paper Pondshell
—
* See Table 4.3 in Section 4.5.3.2 for abbreviations.
513
2015 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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