METAMORPHOSIS OF FRESH-WATER MUSSEL GLOCHIDIA (BIVALVIA, UNIONIDAE) ON AMPHIBIANS AND EXOTIC FISHES

This study determined that inexpensive and easily maintained amphibian s and exotic fishes could act as hosts for two species of native North American unionid mussels, and bypass the need to identify native host s when the object is co culture mussels. Two mussel species, Lampsilis cardium and Utterbackia imbecillis, were used to parasitize 42 exotic fishes and seven potential nonpiscine host species. Nonpiscine hosts included amphibians and decapod crustaceans. Lampsilis cardium success fully metamorphosed on six species of exotic fishes, as well as on lar val tiger salamanders. Utterbackia imbecillis successfully metamorphos ed on 30 species of exotic fishes and all four amphibian species teste d. No glochidia metamorphosed on crustaceans. Successful metamorphosis on amphibians indicates that mussel zoogeography may be more complica ted than previously thought. Using surrogate hosts may be a valuable a lternative to natural hosts in laboratory culture of mussels.