Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for April–June 2025
LANGSTON RIMMER/NCWRC
New Hope Creek Mussel Relocation
by Langston Rimmer, Central Aquatic Wildlife Biologist
A low water crossing in Duke Forest (Durham, NC) on New Hope Creek (Cape Fear River Basin) is planned for replace- ment with a spanning bridge that will improve aquatic organis- mal passage. Prior to construction, numerous partners, includ- ing Duke Forest and NC State, as well as other NCWRC biologists, conducted a survey to relocate the diverse and abundant mussel community upstream of the stream crossing to avoid potential impacts from the replacement of bridge. As part of this effort, the team conducted three passes of snorkel surveys which resulted in the relocation of 473 individuals across six species (Notched Rain- bow, State Threatened; Eastern Creekshell; Carolina Creekshell, State Endangered; Eastern Elliptio; and Chamaeleon Lampmussel). Along with successfully relocating a large number of mussels, the team collected genetic samples from numerous individuals to aid in future research projects. Staff collected genetic samples from 18 individuals primarily from the Chameleon Lampmussel to assist with the description of the species. Additional swabs were collected from mussels in the genus Villosa to enable future research and gain a better understanding of the phylogenetic diversity within the region.
LANGSTON RIMMER/NCWRC
Above team members from Duke Forest, NC State University, and the NCWRC gather to collect data and mark all individuals with Hallprint tags for genetic analysis at the low water crossing planned for replacement below.
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