Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
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Jirka, K. J. and R. J. Neves (1992). Reproductive biology of four species of freshwater mussels (Mollusca: Unionidae) in the New River, Virginia and West Virginia. Journal of Freshwater Ecology. 7:35-44.
The gametogenic cycle, spawning and glochidial release periods, and age at sexual maturity were determined for four unionid species from the New River in Virginia and West Virginia: musket, Actinonaias ligamentina ; spike, Elliptio dilatata ; purple wartyback Cyclonaias tuberculata ; and pistolgrip, Tritogonia verrucosa . The mucket is a long-term brooder, spawning in mid-summer, brooding glochidia throughout fall and winter, and releasing them in spring. The spike, purple wartyback, and pistolgrip are short-term brooders. Spawning began in mid- March and continued into May for T. verrucosa , into June for C. tuberculata , and into July for E. dilatata . Glochidia were release upon maturation, beginning in mid-April and continuing through June for T. verrucosa , into August for E. dilatata , and extending from March through June for C. tuberculata. All four species are sexually mature at 4 to 6 years of age.