A MURDOCH University researcher has found that Western Australia’s freshwater mussel species, Carter’s Freshwater Mussel (Westralunio carteri) is being threatened by salinity.

Michael Klunzinger, a PhD student with the Freshwater Fish Group at the Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research at Murdoch University, says that other issues also affect the species’ survival.

“The primary threat to the mussel’s survival is salinity,” he said.

Carter's Freshwater Mussel
Image: Brett Vukelic

“Other threats include habitat destruction, pollution, dredging, feral pigs, human exploitation, loss of native host fish, and feral fish predation.”

Mr Klunzinger’s findings on the salinity threat have been submitted for publication in Pacific Conservation Biology.

Carter's Freshwater Mussel is the only known freshwater species in south-western WA and as larvae, attaches itself to freshwater fish. The mussel larvae are termed glochidia. The Freshwater Fish Group researchers have submitted a paper to the Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, identifying the freshwater cobbler (Tandanus bostocki) as one of the host fish species and supporting its conservation. 

Mr Klunzinger claims that losing the mussel species will adversely impact the biodiversity in South West WA.

“The loss of mussels will impact the fabric of ecosystem health.” he said.

“The mussels act as biological filters, keeping our water clean and maintaining good water quality for other aquatic fauna.”

Mr Klunzinger is attempting to chart the distribution of the species via surveys of mussel habitats, native fish populations and water salinity and the sampling of glochidia. The study is funded by a grant of $18,700 through the Natural Resource Management project, ‘Protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystem health in the Serpentine River: an adaptive management approach’.  However, more funding is required for field surveys and laboratory analysis.

The community can get involved via a MusselWatch WA website which was set up in partnership with the South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare (SERCUL), and also aims to create awareness of the species and the research team.

Mr Klunzinger says that the community can also help by leaving trees and stumps in the water to create mussel habitats, not dredging and relining river beds, and erradicating feral species such as the Pearl Cichlid (Geophagus brasiliensis). He also says that raising awareness is important.

“The best thing community can do to conserve the species is to leave them undisturbed and to provide appropriate habitat.” he said.

“ I encourage groups to consider mussels in conservation management plans. “

For further information:

Mussel Watch WA website: http://www.musselwatchwa.com

Freshwater Fish Research Group, Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research, Murdoch University: http://www.cffr.murdoch.edu.au/curres/Freshwater.html

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