Finding the pulse of healthy native freshwater mussels (order Unionida): Insights from propagation biologists.

Abstract

Objective: This study engaged representative native freshwater mussel propagation biologists in focus group discussions to learn their views and priorities related to the development and adoption of freshwater mussel health metrics. It provides a case study on how early consultation with practitioners can better inform research questions and improve imperiled species conservation.

Methods: Two focus group discussions were conducted with freshwater mussel propagation biologists from across the United States to understand the needs of conducting mussel health assessments, current approaches, technical capacity, and where advances may be most beneficial.

Results: Propagation biologists identified how they currently measure freshwater mussel health, listed the largest threats to health, explained similarities among approaches, and made recommendations for future research.

Conclusions: Propagation biologists called for quantitative metrics that complement current procedures that could be measured nonlethally and were reflective of health and resilience rather than presence or absence of disease. Further conservation research could benefit from early engagement with propagation biologists to better ensure adoption of research products and tools.