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Hopper GW, Bucholz JR, DuBose TP, Fogelman KJ, Keogh SM, Kubala ME, Lodato MB, Nichols DH, Sánchez González I, Pfeiffer JM, Stoeckel JA, Lozier JD, Atkinson CL. A trait dataset for freshwater mussels of the United States of America. Sci Data 2023; 10:745. [PMID: 37891169 PMCID: PMC10611710 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02635-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The United States of America has a diverse collection of freshwater mussels comprising 301 species distributed among 59 genera and two families (Margaritiferidae and Unionidae), each having a unique suite of traits. Mussels are among the most imperilled animals and are critical components of their ecosystems, and successful management, conservation and research requires a cohesive and widely accessible data source. Although trait-based analysis for mussels has increased, only a small proportion of traits reflecting mussel diversity in this region has been collated. Decentralized and non-standardized trait information impedes large-scale analysis. Assembling trait data in a synthetic dataset enables comparison across species and lineages and identification of data gaps. We collated data from the primary literature, books, state and federal reports, theses and dissertations, and museum collections into a centralized dataset covering information on taxonomy, morphology, reproductive ecology and life history, fish hosts, habitats, thermal tolerance, geographic distribution, available genetic information, and conservation status. By collating these traits, we aid researchers in assessing variation in mussel traits and modelling ecosystem change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett W Hopper
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.
| | - Jamie R Bucholz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA
| | - Traci P DuBose
- ORISE Postdoctoral Research Fellow, United States Forest Service, Frankfort, KY, 40601, USA
| | - Kaelyn J Fogelman
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Troy University, Troy, AL, 36082, USA
| | - Sean M Keogh
- Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL, 60605, USA
| | - Megan E Kubala
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA
| | - Matthew B Lodato
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA
| | - David H Nichols
- National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 20560, USA
| | | | - John M Pfeiffer
- National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 20560, USA
| | - James A Stoeckel
- College of Agriculture, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Lozier
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA
| | - Carla L Atkinson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA
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