Miller, A. C., Payne, B. S., Naimo, T. J., and Russell-Hunter, W. D., 1987, Gravel
bar mussel communities: a community model: Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S. Army
Corp of Engineers, 71 p.

Abstract: 

Literature and field data were synthesized to prepare a community model for
thick-shelled unionid mussels  (Quadrula, Amblema, Plectomerus, Megalonaias,
Obovaria  and Obliquaria , etc.) that are found in gravel  substrate in medium- to
large-sized rivers. This model, developed for use with the Habitat Evaluation 
Procedures of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, can be used for general planning
purposes, and to gain a a more  complete understanding of the biology and
ecology to thick-shelled freshwater mussels. The distribution of these  species,
with respect to the following physical and chemical variables, is reviewed: water
velocity, particle type,  sediment stability, deposited sediment retained annually,
minimum depth, maximum sustained water  temperature, minimum sustained
dissolved oxygen, and calcium hardness. Physical, chemical, and biological 
characteristics of large river systems where these organisms are found are
reviewed. The biology and ecology of  freshwater mussels, including feeding,
locomotion, behavior, reproduction, and early development, are  discussed.

Keywords: 

freshwater-molluscs, Unionidae, synopsis, synecology, gravel-waves,
literature-reviews, data-reports, USA, models, habitat, environment-management,
resource-management, life-history, environmental-surveys, aquatic-communities