Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: EBONYSHELL

Phylum: MOLLUSCA

Class: BIVALVIA

Order: UNIONOIDA

Family: UNIONIDAE

Genus: REGINAIA

Species: EBENUS

Taxonomic Authority: (LEA)

Taxonomy References: 018 , 001

Status

STATE ENDANGERED
STATE RANK S1
GLOBAL RANK G4G5

Status References: 002 , 004

Habitat Summary

"Usually found in rivers with swift current and a substrate of fine gravel to cobble."

Primary Habitat: "Aquatic - river/stream"

References: 013 , 003 , 008 , 009 , 010 , 011

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Has been found in the Mississippi, Meramec, Osage and Little Black rivers *003*"

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
BOLLINGER ADAIR
BUTLER ANDREW
COLE ATCHISON
FRANKLIN AUDRAIN
GASCONADE BARRY
JEFFERSON BARTON
LEWIS BATES
MARIES BENTON
MILLER BOONE
MISSISSIPPI BUCHANAN
OSAGE CALDWELL
PIKE CALLAWAY
PULASKI CAMDEN
RALLS CAPE GIRARDEAU
RIPLEY CARROLL
ST. CHARLES CARTER
ST. LOUIS CASS
WAYNE CEDAR
CHARITON
CHRISTIAN
CLARK
CLAY
CLINTON
COOPER
CRAWFORD
DADE
DALLAS
DAVIESS
DEKALB
DENT
DOUGLAS
DUNKLIN
GENTRY
GREENE
GRUNDY
HARRISON
HENRY
HICKORY
HOLT
HOWARD
HOWELL
IRON
JACKSON
JASPER
JOHNSON
KNOX
LACLEDE
LAFAYETTE
LAWRENCE
LINCOLN
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MADISON
MARION
MCDONALD
MERCER
MONITEAU
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
MORGAN
NEW MADRID
NEWTON
NODAWAY
OREGON
OZARK
PEMISCOT
PERRY
PETTIS
PHELPS
PLATTE
POLK
PUTNAM
RANDOLPH
RAY
REYNOLDS
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SCOTT
SHANNON
SHELBY
ST. CLAIR
ST. FRANCOIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
STODDARD
STONE
SULLIVAN
TANEY
TEXAS
VERNON
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 013 , 003 , 004 , 008 , 009 , 010 , 011

Distribution by Watersheds

Miss. R. from Des Moines R. to MO. R.; and North R.
Dardenne Creek
Meramec R.
Gasconade R. from Big Piney R. to Mo. R.

Comments: ""

Distribution by Ecoregions

Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Oak-Hickory Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Big Rivers: Upper Mississippi
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark: Upper Ozark

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"Riverine, lower perennial", "Unconsolidated bottom, cobble/gravel",
"Riverine, lower perennial", "Unconsolidated bottom, mud",

References for Aquatic Associations: 013 , 003 , 008 , 009 , 010 , 011

Habitat Types:

Pond, Lake, Reservoir
Permanent Stream

References for Habitat Types: 017 , 013 , 003 , 008 , 009 , 010 , 011

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Omnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Algae; Not Specified
Protozoans; Not Specified
Other Microorganisms; Not Specified
Bacillariophyceae (diatoms); Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 012

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements:

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for resting juvenile niche requirements:

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

References for feeding Adult niche requirements:

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

References for feeding adult niche requirements:

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

References for resting adult niche requirements:

Niche Requirement Summary

Current velocity specified in comments(00150)
Elevation specified in comments(00240)
Gradient specified in comments(00140)
Host specified in comments(00680)
Substrate specified in comments(00080)
Water depth specified in comments(00230)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
003 Primary fish host for glochidia is the skipjack herring *05*. Other reported hosts are green sunfish, largemouth bass, white crappie and black crappie *06*.
020 Eggs are fertilized and develop into glochidia in gills of female *03*.
034 Limited by availability of suitable habitat and presence of host species *03*.
035 Regulatory factors include predation *03*.
037 Depend on host for dispersal *03*. Usually detach from host at a length of 0.15mm *016*.
022 Sexual maturity occurs at approximately 5yrs, and first reproduction occurs at 6yrs *015*.
007 Reproductive period is late May to September *05*.
031 Nearly all mortality occurs very early in the lifespan; extremely high fecundity is required to balance mortality of glochidia and settling juveniles *016*.
041 High fecundity is required to balance high mortality early in lifestage *016*.
039 Annual growth increment is approximately 8mm given favorable conditions *015*.
099 Life span is approximately 11-18 years *015*.

Life History Information

Mortality rate specified in comments(031)
Limiting factors specified in comments(034)
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Dispersal specified in comments(037)
Length-weight relationships specified in comments(039)
Fecundity specified in comments(041)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Closely associated plant or animal species specified in comments(003)
Foraging strategy: filtering
Foraging sites: water
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Duration of pair bond: no pair bond formed
Development of young at birth/hatching specified in comments(020)
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
003 Primary fish host for glochidia is the skipjack herring *05*. Other reported hosts are green sunfish, largemouth bass, white crappie and black crappie *06*.
020 Eggs are fertilized and develop into glochidia in gills of female *03*.
034 Limited by availability of suitable habitat and presence of host species *03*.
035 Regulatory factors include predation *03*.
037 Depend on host for dispersal *03*. Usually detach from host at a length of 0.15mm *016*.
022 Sexual maturity occurs at approximately 5yrs, and first reproduction occurs at 6yrs *015*.
007 Reproductive period is late May to September *05*.
031 Nearly all mortality occurs very early in the lifespan; extremely high fecundity is required to balance mortality of glochidia and settling juveniles *016*.
041 High fecundity is required to balance high mortality early in lifestage *016*.
039 Annual growth increment is approximately 8mm given favorable conditions *015*.
099 Life span is approximately 11-18 years *015*.

References for life history: 013 , 015 , 016 , 003 , 005 , 006 , 007

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Water - control sedimentation
Water - control pollution (thermal, physical, chemical)
Water - stabilize streambanks
Water - other (specify in comments)
Agricultural - maintain streambanks
Agricultural - maintain streamside vegetation

Beneficial Management References: 013 , 014

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - dredging and filling
Water - navigational improvements (channelization, dams, locks)
Water - other (specify in comments)

Adverse Management References: 013 , 014

Comments on Management:
No work should be allowed below the high bank of the stream between April 1 and August 30, to allow for successful reproduction and recruitment. Take precautions to prevent spread of zebra mussels *013*. The construction of Lock and Dam 19 in the upper Mississppi River inhibits F. ebena from recolonizing the Mississippi above the dam by preventing its migratory host fish from moving upstream. Conservation efforts should focus on artificial propagation and dam modifications that allow the passage of migratory fishes *014*. In TN, after 2 years, had 100% tag retention of coded wire tags (magnetized double-length CWT) that was inserted into the hingle ligament *017*.

References for Management Comments: 017 , 013 , 014

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Williams, J.D., A.E. Bogan, R.S. Butler, K.S. Cummings, J.T. Garner, J.L. Harris, N.A. Johnson and G.T. Watters. 2017. A revised list of the freshwater mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionida) of the United States and Canada. Freshwater Mollusk Biology and Conservation 20:33-58.
002 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2018. Missouri Species and communities of conservation concern checklist. MO Dept. of Conservation. Jefferson City, MO. pp.56.
003 Oesch, R.D. 1995. Missouri Naiades. A Guide To The Mussels Of Missouri. Second Edition. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 271 Pp.
004 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
005 Baker, F.C. 1928. The fresh-water mollusca of Wisconsin. Part II. Pelecypoda. Bull. Univ. Wisconsin, Bull. 70, II. WI Geol. and Nat. Hist. Surv. Gen. Ser. 1301, 495 pp. (cited in ref. 001)
006 Fuller, S.L.H. 1978. Fresh-water mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionidae) of the Upper Mississippi River: Observations at selected sites within the 9-foot channel navigation project on behalf of the Unites States Army Corps of Engineers. Acad. Nat. Sciences. Philadelphia, PA. 401 pp. (cited in ref. 003).
007 Brynildson, I. 1985. Freshwater mussels of the Upper Mississippi River. Wisc. Dept. Nat. Resources. 63 pp.
008 Buchanan, A. C. 1980. Mussels (naiades) of the Meramec River Basin. Missouri Dept. of Conservation Aquatic Ser. No. 17. Jefferson City, MO. 76 pp.
009 Unpb Grace, T.B. and A.C. Buchanan. 1981. Naiades (Mussels) Of The Lower Osage River, Tavern Creek, And Maries River, Missouri. Mo Dept Of Conservation, 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201 (573-882-9880). 147pp.
010 Buchanan, A.C. 1979. Mussels (Naides) Of The Little Black River Basin In Missouri And Arkansas. United States Dept. Of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. Columbia, Missouri. 69 Pp.
011 Unpb Bruenderman, S. Mussel Occurrence Database. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation, 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201 (573-882-9880).
012 Allen, W.R. 1914. The Food And Feeding Habits Of Freshwater Mussels. Biol. Bull. 27(3):127-139.
013 Missouri Department of Conservation. Best Management Practices: Ebony shell. Missouri Dept. of Conservation. Jefferson City, MO.
014 Kelner, D.E. and B.E. Stietman. 2000. Relic populations of the Ebony Shell, Fusconaia ebena (Bivalva: Unionidae), in the Upper Mississippi River Drainage. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 15(3): 371-377.
015 Payne, B.S. and A.C. Miller. 1988. Growth and survival of recent recruits to a population of Fusconaia ebena (Bivalva: Unionidae) in the Lower Ohio River. American Midland Naturalist 121: 99-104.
016 Payne, B.S. and A.C. Miller. 2000. Recruitment of Fusconaia ebena (Bivalva: Unionidae) in relation to discharge of the Lower Ohio River. American Midland Naturalist 144: 328-341.
017 Layzer, J.B. and J.R. Heinricher. 2004. Coded wire tag retention in ebonyshell mussels Fusconaia ebena. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 24(1): 228-230.
018 Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society (FMCS). 2021. The 2021 checklist of freshwater mussels. https://molluskconservation.org/Library/Committees/Names/Appendix_1_Bivalves_Revised_Names_List_20210825.pdf.