FISHES
Uwharrie Mussel and Host Fish Collections by Emilia Omerberg, Central Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist
I n order to successfully propagate freshwater mussels, staff must collect host fish for the mussel larvae, called glochidia; the larvae live in the fish’s gills as benign parasites until they are ready to trans- form to juveniles. Host fish trials need to be conducted to discover which species of fish are the prefer host for this rare mussel. Differ- ent mussel species use different fishes as hosts. In initial trials last year, none of the species tested showed promising results for hosting this unique mussel. Another round of trials with different fish spe- cies is planned for winter 2024–2025. In November, staff also collected a variety of fish species from Wolf Island Creek in Rockingham County to use in these trials. The species collected for this trial included Bluehead Chub, Crescent Shiner, East- ern Creek Chubsucker, Fantail Darter, Redlip Shiner, Rosyside Dace, and White Sucker. A separate host fish collection effort, targeting Car- olina Darters, was completed in December at Johnson Creek and Grassy Creek in Granville County.
EMILIA OMERBERG/NCWRC
An individual of the undescribed mussel species
Host Fish Collection for Greensboro Science Center
by Emilia Omerberg, Central Region Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Biologist
I n November of 2024, staff collected 64 Fantail Darters from Wolf Island Creek in Rockingham County. These fish were trans- ported to the Greensboro Science Center to aid in the propagation of the state threatened Notched Rainbow mussel. The goal is to use these animals to repopulate a stream mitigation site after habitat work is completed.
EMILIA OMERBERG/NCWRC
A Fantail Darter from Wolf Island Creek in Rockingham County.
62 2024 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
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