Date of Award
5-13-2009
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Environmental Sciences, MS
First Advisor
Tanja McKay
Committee Members
Alan Christian; Hubert Stroud; John Harris; William Posey
Call Number
LD 251 .A566t 2009 I56
Abstract
The special concern Obovaria jacksoniana occurs from the Mississippi Interior Basin to Mobile River drainage. Villosa arkansasensis is often difficult to distinguish from O. jacksoniana based on conchological characters. Since both species have been ranked with conservation status, determining taxonomy and classification are important for conservation. The overall goal of my thesis was to better understand the taxonomic relationship between two species. Molecular phylogenetics, morphometrics, and life history analysis were three approaches used to provide a clearer picture of the genetic and taxonomical status of two species. Based on the findings of individual chapters, my overall conclusion is that O. jacksoniana and V. arkansasensis are likely to be conspecifics based upon phylogenetic relations, however, shell morphologies and reproductive life history especially suitable host fish species were different between these two species. Thus, considering these features, conservation status of both species needs to be reconsidered and further research will be needed.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Inoue, Kentaro, "Molecular phylogenetic, morphometric, and life history analyses of the special concern freshwater mussels: Obovaria jacksoniana (Frierson, 1912) and Villosa arkansasensis (Lea, 1862)" (2009). Student Theses and Dissertations. 1003.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/1003
