Columbus State University
CSU ePress
Theses and Dissertations
6-1997
A Descriptive Survey of Freshwater Unionidae
Bivalves in Five Creeks Located in West Central
Georgia
Rufus Carson Stringfellow
Columbus State University
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Stringfellow, Rufus Carson, "A Descriptive Survey of Freshwater Unionidae Bivalves in Five Creeks Located in West Central Georgia"
(1997). Theses and Dissertations. Paper 32.
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Columbus
State University
The School of Science
The Graduate Program
A Descriptive
in
Environmental Science
Survey of Freshwater Unionidae Bivalves
Located
in
West Central Georgia
A Thesis in
Environmental Science
by
Rufus Carson Stringfellow
Submitted
in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements
for the
Degree of
Master of Science
June 1997
)
1997 by Rufus Carson Stringfellow
in
Five Creeks
I
have submitted
this thesis in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Science.
/</
ftUuJL /997
UL+C
(k
_.&L&*r)i
We approve the thesis of Rufus Carson
H jiUA
Date
Mmr
Rufus Carson Stringfellow
Date
Stringfellow as presented here.
1313
George
E.
Stanton, Biology Chair, Thesis
Adviser
U^-
<k
Date
Julie
A.
u^JL
Ballenger,
Assistant Professor of
Biology
Date
David R. Schwimmer, Professor of Geology
ABSTRACT
A
descriptive survey of the
bivalve fauna inhabiting
The survey
been completed.
remain extant
in this
West Georgia, Chattahoochee River drainage unionid
Mountain Oak, Mulberry, Standing Boy, and Upatoi Creeks has
is
intended to determine whether Unionidae populations
portion of the Chattahoochee River drainage, and to estimate the
abundance and distribution of species encountered. Accessibility sampling was employed;
sites selected to
be surveyed were usually located
rake in sandy or
manual probing
silty substrate, visual
in
at a
road bridge or some landmark easily
Collecting methods included the use of a small
identifiable for geographical positioning.
detection of siphons or
rocky substrates, and collection of
shells
bars and overwash areas. Results from this survey were
August 1995, and the end of October 1996.
clam, Corbicula fluminea,
Unionidae species,
arctata)
and others
some
(ex.
eurytopic adaptations.
comprised
trails in
the soft sediment,
from dead individuals on sand
494 specimens
this collection.
species clearly inhabited restricted locations (ex.
Elliptio
complanata) were
The most common
widely distributed,
Elliptio
reflecting
native Unionidae species encountered
complanata and Villosa lienosa.
there
a range extension into the Chattahoochee River System of one species,
is
Asiatic
Each stream sampled contained
Elliptio
peggyae Johnson, 1965.
between
collected
Twelve Unionidae species and the
Based on the best data
were
available at this time,
Anodonta
Factors that appear to limit the distribution and abundance of
Unionidae species include heavy
impoundments, and absence of
siltation
caused by anthropogenic stream-side
activities,
specific habitat types or environmental conditions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT
iii
LIST OF FIGURES
v
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF
I
vii
MAPS
viii
INTRODUCTION AND NATURE OF STUDY
II.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
1
6
III
DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA
8
IV.
RESULTS
9
V.
VI.
SPECIES
ENCOUNTERED
11
DISCUSSION
43
VII.
DISCUSSION OF THE ASIATIC CLAM
53
VIII.
CONCLUSION
54
LITERATURE CITED
57
APPENDICES
A.
Study Area and Distribution
B
Locations of Collection Sites
Maps
60
73
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
Figure
map of study
West Central Georgia
1
Location
2
Morphology of freshwater mussel
area,
3
terminology
shell illustrating
10
3
Photograph of Anodonta imbed /is,
left
valve, external
view
4
Photograph of Anodonta imbealis,
left
valve, external
view and
5
Photograph of Anodonta peggyae,
left
valve, external
view
6
Photograph of Anodonta peggyae,
left
valve, external
view and
7
Photograph of Anodonta grandis,
left
valve, external
view
8
Photograph of Anodonta grandis,
left
valve, external
view and
9
Photograph of Villosa lienosa,
internal
internal
internal
10
14
right valve,
view
14
17
right valve,
view
17
19
right valve,
view
19
left
Photograph of Villosa lienosa,
left
valve, external
view (female)
view and
valve, external
22
right valve, internal
view (female)
22
1
Photograph of Villosa lienosa,
left
valve, external
view (male)
1
Photograph of Villosa lienosa,
left
valve, external
view and
1
Photograph of Villosa
vibex, left valve, external
view (female)
14
Photograph of Villosa
vibex, left valve, external
view and
23
right valve, internal
view (male)
23
26
right valve, internal
view (female)
26
1
Photograph of Villosa
vibex, left valve, external
view (male)
16
Photograph of Villosa
vibex, left valve, external
view and
17
Photograph of Villosa
view (male)
27
right valve, internal
27
sp., left
valve, external
view
28
18
Photograph of Villosa
sp., left valve,
external view and right valve, internal
28
view
1
Photograph of EUiptio complanata,
left
valve, external
view
20
Photograph of EUiptio complanata,
left
valve, external
view and
internal
right valve,
view
31
34
2
Photograph of EUiptio
icterina, left valve, external
view
22
Photograph of EUiptio
icterina, left valve, external
view and
internal
31
right valve,
34
view
23
Photograph of EUiptio arctata,
left
valve, external
view
24
Photograph of EUiptio arctata,
left
valve, external
view and
25
Photograph of Megalonaias boykiniana,
right valve, external
26
Photograph of Megalonaias boykiniana,
right valve, internal
27
Photograph of Uniomerus tetralasmus,
left
valve, external
view
28
Photograph of Uniomerus tetralasmus,
left
valve, external
view and
29
Frequency of size classes (Anodonta imbecilis)
30
Frequency of size classes {Anodonta peggyae) Mt. Oak Creek (n=25)
46
3
Frequency of size classes (EUiptio complanata) Upatoi Creek (n= 1 89)
51
3
Frequency of size classes ( Villosa lienosa) Upatoi Creek (n=99)
52
37
right valve, internal
view
internal
37
view
39
view
39
42
right valve,
42
view
Mt Oak Creek
.
(n=5 8)
45
LIST OF TABLES
Page
Table
1
Individual species records for the
1
8 productive sites included in this survey
10
MAPS
LIST OF
Map
1
Area surveyed
2
Distribution
in this
study with
all
collecting sites indicated
ofAnodonta imbecilis Say,
829 within the study area
1
61
62
3
Distribution of Anodonta peggyae Johnson, 1965 within the study area
63
4
Distribution of Anodonta grandis Say,
829 within the study area
64
5
Distribution of Villosa lienosa Conrad,
834 within the study area
65
6
Distribution of Villosa vibex Conrad,
7
Distribution ofE/liptio
8
Distribution ofElliptio icterina Conrad,
9
1
1
1
834 within the study area
complanata Lightfoot,
Distribution ofElliptw arctata Conrad,
786 within the study area
66
67
834 within the study area
68
834 within the study area
69
1
1
1
boykimana Lea,
1
Distribution of Megalonaias
1
Distribution of
1
Distribution of Corbicula flwmnea Muller,
Uniomerus tetralasmus Say,
1
83
70
within the study area
71
774 within the study area
72
1
1
840 within the study area
1
MAPS
LIST OF
Map
Page
1
Area surveyed
2
Distribution of Anodonta imbecilis Say,
in this
study with
all
collecting sites indicated
1
829 within the study area
3
Distribution of Anodonta peggyae Johnson,
4
Distribution of Anodonta grandis Say,
5
Distribution of Vil/osa lienosa Conrad,
6
Distribution of Villosa vibex Conrad,
7
Distribution of Elliptio
8
Distribution of Elliptio icterina Conrad,
9
1
1
1
1
965 within the study area
63
829 within the study area
64
834 within the study area
65
834 within the study area
complanata Lightfoot,
Distribution of Elliptio arctata Conrad,
61
62
1
1
1
786 within the study area
834 within the study area
834 within the study area
1
Distribution of Megalonaias boykiniana Lea,
1
Distribution of
12
Distribution of Corbicula fluminea Muller,
1
'
Uniomerus tetralasmus Say,
83
67
68
69
70
within the study area
71
774 within the study area
72
1
1
840 within the study area
66
1
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My
sincere thanks and appreciation are extended to
provided help and assistance
my
in
making
advisory committee, Dr. George
and Dr. David R. Schwimmer, for
William
and helped inspire
me
University of Georgia,
extensive reference
field
list,
University,
For
who
arranged
Eugene
P.
Mead
assisted
their patience,
Amy
field
Edwards,
A
field
work with
number of other
Museum
experts
individuals
of Natural History,
work methodology and
materials, reference specimens,
Brunswick College, for
Keferl,
supplied
me
with an
Mr. Mike
Pettis,
many days
in
and expert specimen
his help
with specimen
Mead Coated Board
property, and Mr. Brian Lucas, student at
Division,
Columbus
State
collecting in the field.
encouragement, specimen collecting, and occasionally serving as
during the entirety of this study,
Brooke.
who
Mrs. Jayne Brim Box, National Biological Service, helped
and providing specimens,
for allowing access to
Also a special thanks to Dr.
guidance and help.
Mrs.
are:
helped with
work methods and
identification; Dr.
identification
who
those persons that have
Stanton, major professor, Dr. Julie A. Ballenger,
their
to study these Unionidae bivalves.
helped tremendously and they
critic
E
all
Special thanks are extended to
study possible.
Birkhead, Columbus State University,
S.
providing
this
I
thank
my
wife Marie and children, Andy, Joy, and
INTRODUCTION AND NATURE OF STUDY
North America has the
richest
fauna
freshwater bivalve
in
the
world with
approximately 297 species and subspecies (Neves, 1992); the vast majority (nearly 290
These species, with
species) occuring in rivers of the southeastern United States.
exceptions in the Family Margaritiferidae, belong to Family Unionidae.
and subspecies recognized, 21 species (7%) are presumed
extinct,
Of the 297
a
few
species
42 (14%) are federally
endangered or threatened, and 69 (23%) are candidates for federal protection
listed as
(Neves, 1992).
Freshwater bivalves continuously siphon water from their habitat,
organisms for food.
accumulate chemicals
environment.
As
Because of
in their
their nonselective feeding
bodies and
shells,
humble bivalve
microscopic
including any pollutants present in their
a result of this behavior, bivalves serve as excellent bioindicators of the
environmental well-being of streams they inhabit.
bivalve anchored
filtering
method, the bivalves can
on the bottom of a
"People don't realize the value of a
river or stream.
Like canaries
in
a coal mine, these
shellfish herald trouble" (Stolzenburg, 1992).
The Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and
largest drainages in the eastern
Gulf Coastal
Flint
(ACF)
Plain.
It
river
system forms one of the
comprises a large portion of the
Apalachicolan Region, defined as the drainages flowing into the Gulf of Mexico, from the
Escambia to the Suwannee River.
Also included are the
St.
although they flow into the Atlantic Ocean (Johnson, 1970).
Marys and
These
Satilla Rivers,
river systems include
parts of southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia, and northwestern Florida.
the
ACF
River System was noted for
its
rich
Historically,
Unionidae populations composed of
approximately 40 species, several of which are endemic to the system (Butler, 1993).
1991 a comprehensive three-year study of freshwater bivalve populations in the
initiated
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), prior to
type having been conducted in the region (Butler, 1993).
FWS
this time,
In
ACF was
no study of this
The survey was
initiated
by the
to determine the status of seven species of bivalves, including four species which are
ACF
endemic to the
The seven
River system.
species of greatest concern are the Fat
Threeridge (Amblema neislerii), Shinyrayed Pocketbook (Lampsilis subangalata), Gulf
Ochlockonee
{Medionidus penicillatus),
Moccasinshell
Oval
simpsonianus),
{Pleurobema puriforme),
Pigtoe
Slabshell
FWS
candidates
as
for
under the
protection
federal
(Elliptio
These species were
chipolaensis), and the Purple Bankclimber (Elliptoideus sloatinanas).
of particular concern to the
(Medionidus
Moccasinshell
Chipola
Endangered Species Act of 1973.
In this survey,
I
attempted to determine the distribution and abundance of Unionidae
The creeks included
mollusks in five creek systems in west-central Georgia
were Mountain Oak, Mulberry, Standing Boy,
were chosen
and Upatoi
Bull,
(Fig.
survey
in the
These creeks
1).
because they are the five largest tributaries of the Chattahoochee River
drainage basin in the Columbus, Georgia, region.
The most northern
creek,
Mountain
km
(16 miles) in a
southwesterly direction, and empties into Harding Reservoir, a Georgia
Power Company
Oak, originates
in
the western part of Pine Mountain, flows 26
impoundment of the Chattahoochee
River.
The
located in the Piedmont geologic province,
entire length
northern Harris County, Georgia.
reference of unionid specimens being collected from Mountain
in the literature.
Georgia, in the
To
the south
Oak Mountain
of Mountain Oak Creek
Mulberry Creek, originates
area and flows 48
km (30
Oak Creek
in
is
No
has been found
western Talbot County,
miles) in a southwestern direction
across the width of Harris County, also located in the Piedmont geologic province, and
empties into Goat
Rock
Reservoir, another Georgia
Chattahoochee River.
Standing
province and originates
in
flows 27.5
km
(17 miles)
in
Boy Creek
Power Company
also located in the
south central Harris County, Georgia.
reservoir of the
Piedmont geologic
Standing
Boy Creek
a southwesterly direction, entering the northwestern corner of
Muscogee County, Georgia, and empting
Company
is
reservoir of the Chattahoochee.
into Oliver Reservoir,
Bull Creek originates
County, flows southwesterly approximately 26
km
another Georgia
in
northern
Power
Muscogee
(16 miles), and empting into the
Chattahoochee south of metropolitan Columbus. The southern most creek
in the
study
is
Upatoi Creek.
Upatoi Creek originates
in east-central
Talbot County, Georgia, flows
south-southwest through the Piedmont, and enters the Coastal Plain geologic province
approximately the location
at
which Pine Knot Creek enters Upatoi.
at
After entering the
Coastal Plain Province, Upatoi flows through the Fort Benning Military Reservation and
enters the Chattahoochee River south of
Columbus, Georgia, for a
miles) length.
Figure
1
.
Location
map of study
area,
West Central Georgia.
total
of 68
km
(42
Considerable controversy and confusion surround historic collections
region.
made
in this
Lea (1840, 1856, 1857, 1869), described most species of Unionidae found in the
Columbus, Georgia
A
area.
(Clench and Turner, 1956).
American freshwater
number of
collectors contributed to Lea's large collection
Conrad (1834) published a booklet with
shells.
It
illustrations
of some
thought that Conrad collected a few species of
is
freshwater bivalves in the Flint River, very probably at Albany, Georgia (Clench and
Conrad traveled throughout much of Alabama and
Turner, 1956).
Georgia, where
it
is
said that he
antagonists regarding
made many
publication
dates;
notable discoveries.
the
antagonism caused Lea to deposit
extensive collections in the United States National
Museum, and
Natural Science at Philadelphia, under whose auspices
published (Clench and Turner, 1956).
referring to
of
into limited areas
Lea and Conrad became
many of
not in the
his
Academy of
his studies
had
been
when
Discrepancies occurred in the original works
Macon, Georgia, Macon County, Georgia, and Macon County, Alabama and
exact localities could not be determined from the original data.
later published
These
original errors
of the works and collections were
lost or scattered
among
different
museums.
were
Many
and republished with occasional new errors adding to the confusion.
Simpson
(1900) published a Synopsis of the Naiades or Pearly Fresh Water Mussels of the World
(cited in
Webb,
1942).
This volume
was
a check
list
with brief
the decade of the 1940's, considerable and intensive studies
class
shell descriptions.
During
were made of the freshwater
of shells, new nomenclature was established, and the whole fauna of pearly mussels
of the world was elevated to a systematic basis (Webb, 1942).
early years
Some
confusion
of freshwater mussel species identification was caused by the differences
shell characteristics
found
in the
male and female of most
species.
in the
in
Frequently, male and
female specimens of the same species were classified as different species.
In the early 1950's W.J. Clench and R.D. Turner completed a survey entitled,
Freshwater Mollusks of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, from the Escambia to the
Suwannee
River.
Some
survey
sites
of
this study included portions
of Mulberry and
Upatoi Creeks. Athearn (1955) located a limited number of species upstream and
downstream of Columbus
in
the
Chattahoochee River.
Chattahoochee River have been identified as
east (Georgia) side
sites
of the Chattahoochee, Mulberry Creek
Unionidae (Mollusca. Bivalvia) historical
Some
literature,
is
of the
tributaries
of extant bivalve populations.
On
mentioned most often
the
in the
and there are occasional mentions of
Upatoi and Bull Creeks, however, definitive locations are not provided. Jenkinson (1973)
completed a study
systems
in
which
in east-central
the distribution
Alabama were
drainage streams: Halawakee and
survey mentioned sampled
Boy,
Bull, or
sites
Mulberry Creeks.
of the Unionacean bivalves
described.
Uchee Creeks.
Two
in
four creek
of the streams are Chattahoochee
The, 1991, Fish and Wildlife Service
of Upatoi but did not mention Mountain Oak, Standing
The most recent freshwater
bivalve survey
work
in the
Columbus, Georgia, area was conducted by Keferl (1994), including the section of Bull
Creek from Schatulga Road bridge to the Georgia highway route 22 bridge.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
Specimens were collected
The
drainage system.
field
45
at
some other recognizable landmark
bridge or at
in
initiated
October 1995 and continued through
Sites selected for sampling in this study
the Fall of 1996.
of the Chattahoochee River
sites in five tributaries
work was
that
were located
would be
either at a road
easily identifiable for future
location purposes. Location data for each site included: date, collection reference number,
drainage, creek name, county and state, air kilometer and (mile) distance from
two
cities
or towns, and names of the collector(s).
Collecting techniques varied at different
in
sandy or
silty
substrates, visual spotting
sites,
the methods included: using a small rake
of siphons or
trails in soft
bottoms of streams,
using manual probing in rocky substrates, and collecting dead bivalve shells on sand bars
and overwash areas. Manually probing with hands has been the most productive method
the rocky Piedmont streams.
were surveyed
in
two
At each collecting
site,
hours, one hour per each 100 meters reach of stream,
If bivalves
were found
for the site
and the remaining
at
a collection
site,
representative voucher specimens
living bivalves
were returned to
In the laboratory, living bivalve specimens
the specimens
were placed
soft parts
were removed from the
preservative
(70%
The
of
McMahon,
until the valves
first
relaxing the
gaped.
After the
between the valves to prevent closing
70%
1991).
and both the
shells,
soft tissue
ethyl alcohol
inserted
were selected
ethyl alcohol
and
1%
glycerin to
The specimens were allowed
to
approximately two weeks to insure proper fixation, the
in the fixing solution for
catalog numbers.
was
in a solution
preserve and fix the soft tissue (per
remain
was
their habitat.
were preserved by
by adding chloroform slowly to the medium
valves were relaxed and gaped, a peg
when
if the site
100 meters upstream and 100 meters downstream of the bridge were searched.
at a bridge,
individuals
in
approximately 200 meters of stream
was
and
shells
and
soft tissue
were assigned
labeled with catalog number, placed in individual
1%
glycerin) containers and the catalog
number was
written on the inside of each valve with India ink. After the shells had been numbered, the
thin shells
(Anodonta
sp.)
were coated
several times with Krylon clear polyurethane
coating (Shelton, 1996) to prevent cracking, and
all
other shells were coated with Krylon
matte finish clear polyurethane coating (Shelton, 1996) to protect the periostracum.
shells
were placed
deposited
in
the
in
storage for later use.
zoology museum,
Columbus, Georgia.
in
The specimens included
LeNoir Hall
at
Columbus
The
in this study are
State
University,
DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA
The area covered
Harris,
in this study is located in
west central Georgia and includes
between 32°
and 32° 45* north latitude and between 84° 30' and 85°
15'
all
The study area
Muscogee, and parts of Talbot and Chattahoochee Counties.
15'
of
lies
west
longitude.
Most of
the study area
lies in
the Piedmont Geologic Province of Georgia, only the
lower portion of the southern-most stream, Upatoi Creek,
Province.
The
Provinces.
Fall
Line
is
lies
in
the boundary between the Piedmont
the Coastal Plain
and Coastal Plain
This boundary approximately follows the contact between crystalline rocks of
the Piedmont Province and the unconsolidated Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments of the
Coastal Plain.
Alluvial streams in the
sometimes with white water and
meandering
slow
characteristically
floodplains
water
may border one
generally maintained by
shoals
(Wharton,
gently meandering slower runs, and
1978).
narrow floodplains, usually
streams are degrading.
different biota
Piedmont have three general appearances:
falls,
less
The streams of
than 0.8
or both sides of the stream.
km
the
Piedmont
(0.5 mile) in width,
Usually the shoals
in
The
have
and the
Piedmont
These tend to alternate with floodplains or bottomlands
aggradation (Wharton, 1978).
shoals,
strongly
that are
shoal areas supported a
from the slower stretches of Piedmont streams, which was evident because
were most productive
for unionids included in this survey.
Plain typically lack the riffles and shoals
greater floodplains development.
common
to
Streams
in the
Coastal
Piedmont streams and usually have
RESULTS
The specimens
collected during this survey totaled
genera and 12 species.
sites are
These
presented in Table
1
totals for
494
individuals, representing six
each species encountered
at
the 18 productive
Table
1
.
Individual species records for the 18 productive sites included in this survey.
Totals by species for the entire area covered by this survey.
g
M
M
<u
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER SYSTEM
U
M
o
u
<D
<u
>>
o
CQ
00
3
2
e
O
U
G
3G
U
3
U
'3
a.
o
<u
X>
£
0)
2*
60
1
Anodonta imbed lis
2.
Anodonta erandis
2
2
3.
Anodonta peszvae
25
25
4.
EUivtio comvlanata
n
20
5.
EUiotio arctata
10
16
6.
EUivtio icterina
2
16
7.
Uniomerus tetralasmus
8.
1
9.
Villosa vibex
58
1
lllosa lienosa
1
5
.
12.
Total Unionacean specimens
X = Too numerous to count.
*
Keferl
-
collected specimens 1994.
26
25
14
99
113
2
5
13
5
3
3
Mezalonaias bovkiniana
Corbicula fluminea
221
7
5*
10. Villosa sv.?
1 1
189
1
1
X
X
X
X
X
87
28
71
8
300
494
SPECIES
The following
this
The
survey.
includes
all
of the Unionidae bivalves collected as part of
overall range distribution
was compiled from
the literature and the
of species within the study area are based on location of specimens collected
distribution
in this survey.
data
literature,
descriptions
ENCOUNTERED
distribution
Habitat information included with taxonomic description
collected,
of species
in the
is
based on the
Maps
and observations made during the survey.
with
survey streams are included as Appendix A.
DORSAL
Beak (umbo)
Growth
Ligament
Posterior slope
lines
Periostracum
Posterior ridge
ANTERIOR
POSTERIOR
Pseudocardial teeth
Muscle
Beak
Laterial teeth
Nacre
scars
cavity
Pallial line
VENTRAL
Figure
1
.
Morphology of freshwater mussel
shell illustrating shell
terminology.
Anodonta (Utterbackia) imbecilis
(Figs. 3
Say,
1
829
and 4)
Paper Pondshell
Synonyms: Anodonta imbecilis Say, 1829
Utterbackia imbecilis Baker, 1927
Description:
Shell
medium
to large in size, often reaching over 100
mm,
subelliptical in outline, thin,
smooth, and not inflated (Brim-Box 1996). Shell tapers to a blunt point posteriorly.
Posterior slope slightly concave; posterior ridge poorly defined (Clench and Turner 1956).
Umbos
anterior to the center, very
low and seldom extending above the dorsal margin.
Color vivid green or blue-green to a dark greenish-brown; generally
finely
rayed with pale
straw yellow. Periostracum smooth and shiny over the entire surface. Nacre bluish white
and iridescent over the entire inner surface of the
shell.
Ligament short and
small. All
muscle scars are inconspicuous and poorly defined. Hinge plate and teeth absent.
Distribution:
This species
Canada
West Georgia
much of
eastern North America, from
mud
or a muddy-sand substrate.
Habitat:
Specimens
Approximately
its
widely distributed throughout
is
to Florida, and west to Texas.
were found
50%
in quiet
water with a
of specimens were located near the mouth of Mountain
confluence with Harding Reservoir, Harris County, Georgia.
collected along a 5
km
(3.1 mile) reach
Oak Creek
at
Specimens were also
of slow water extending from the reservoir
eastward to Lick
Skillet
habitat; their shells are
1895).
their
Road.
Anodonta
sp. are
adapted to
still
water and
soft substrate
very thin and light-weight, increasing their buoyancy (Simpson,
Heavier shelled species are not adapted to
body weight they would
sink in the soft
mud
survive in soft substrates, because of
and suffocate.
**.l
i^^^^H^H
'
Figure
3.
Photograph of Anodonta imbecilis,
left
valve, external
view
Figure
4.
Photograph of Anodonta imbecilis,
left
valve, external
view and
internal
view
right valve,
Anodonta peggyae Johnson, 1965
(Figs. 5
and 6)
Florida floater
Description:
The
shell
mm
be 80
is
general shell shape
delicate
medium
usually small to
in length,
plus; the length to height ratio is
is
and smooth.
subrhomboidal with some
Anteriorly the shell
some specimens have been measured
approximately
inflation
2:1
(Johnson 1965).
of the valves which are
rounded, posteriorly
to
The
thin,
more broadly rounded
than the anterior end and slightly biangulate near the base. Ventral margin broadly curved
Dorsal margin can be straight or slightly curved, forming a
and descends obliquely.
distinct wing-like angle at the point
it
intersects the obliquely descending posterior margin.
Posterior ridge broadly rounded, posterior slope sometimes slightly concave and located
toward the anterior
above the dorsal
of the
third
line,
The umbos
shell.
are
double-looped undulations (Johnson 1965). Color
occasionally very dark green with
surface
(Brim-Box 1996).
Hinge
plate, lateral,
fine
is
straw yellow to yellowish-green,
green rays covering the entire
shell
Rays on the posterior slope of the specimen are much darker
than those on the remainder of the
posterior slope which
numerous
low and broad, with no extention
seven or eight, low, delicate, slightly
their surface sculpture has
shell.
Periostracum smooth and shiny, except the
may be somewhat roughened. Nacre
is
bluish- white
and
iridescent.
and pseudocardinal teeth are absent; muscle scars are poorly defined
or inconspicuous.
Distribution:
Prior to this study the distribution of this species
from the Choctawhatchee River system
Florida.
The specimens
in
collected in this survey
Chattahoochee River system
in
was
the Gulf drainage of Florida,
Alabama to the Hillsborough River system
extend the
Georgia (Brim-Box 1996).
known
in
distribution into the
West Georgia
Habitat:
Anodonta peggyae
sluggish streams.
inhabits sandy or silty
Specimens collected
in the
mud bottoms of
backwaters, ponds, and
survey were found in soft
mud
substrate
bottoms of quiet water sloughs near the confluence of Mt. Oak Creek and Harding
Reservoir.
This species
is
readily adaptable to an
the shell morphology, thin, lightweight, and
impoundment type of habitat because of
somewhat
inflated.
Figure
6.
internal
Photograph of Anodonta peggyae,
view
left
valve, external
view and
right valve,
Anodonta grandis
Say, 1829
(Figs. 7
and 8)
Giant Floater
Description:
Anodonta grandis
medium
is
shell is usually thin, fragile,
175
mm
with
to large, shell outline
somewhat winged
sculpture
Periostracum
that
greenish,
delicately rayed,
is
in
is
subovate or
The
subelliptical.
Adult specimens commonly range from 100 to
inflated.
Berg 1959).
(4 to 7 inches) in length (Clark and
dorsally and
line
and
Posterior slope compressed
young specimens. Umbos extend above the
variable,
distinctive,
yellowish-brown
bluish- white or partly pinkish and iridescent.
and
blackish-brown,
to
and usually with concentric
heavy,
lighter
dorsal hinge
sometimes tuberculate.
sometimes
shiny,
often
and darker bands. Nacre white to
Muscle scars inconspicuous or
absent.
Distribution:
This species
is
found throughout the entire Mississippi system;
St.
Lawrence system;
Lake Winnepeg, Manitoba; and Southwest Texas (Clark and Berg, 1959).
West Georgia
Habitat:
Anodonta grandis can be found
ponds, and canals.
in
Specimens collected
many
types of substrates in rivers, creeks, lakes,
in this
survey were found
in sluggish
water
in a
sandy-mud substrate located approximately 200 meters upstream of the mouth of
Mountain Oak Creek
Figure
8.
internal
Photograph of Anodonta grandis,
view
left
valve, external
view and
right valve,
Villosa lienosa Conrad, 1834
(Figs. 9, 10, 11,
and 12)
Little Spectaclecase
Synonyms: Unio lienosus Conrad, 1834
Description:
Shell
medium
in size,
mm
seldom larger than 100
smooth, subelliptical or subovate
and usually
in outline,
in length, fairly thin
The
inflated.
Sexual dimorphism occurs
flattened with the posterior ridge poorly defined
but strong,
posterior slope
is
in this species
with male specimens being bluntly pointed posteriorly and female specimens moderately
truncate or angulated posteriorly and
more
well anterior to the center, broad and
full,
looped. Shell color
is
inflated
generally dark brownish-black, but specimens
brown and young specimens may be
faintly
Periostracum smooth on the upper
somewhat roughened or
disc,
Umbos
(Clench and Turner 1956).
but not high with the beak sculpture double-
margin and over the posterior slope. Nacre color
rayed
is
with
green
may be
chestnut
(Brim-Box
satiny
1996).
on the ventral
variable ranging from whitish through
various shades of pink or salmon to a deep purple and
is
highly iridescent posteriorly.
Ligament rather long and narrow. Anterior muscle scars are well defined. Posterior scars
poorly defined.
teeth,
Hinge plate
one large and one
is
long and narrow.
The
right valve has
small, both are coarsely crenulate.
The
left
two pseudocardinal
valve also has two
pseudocardinal teeth, one large and one small, and less crenulate than the teeth
in
the right
valve (Brim-Box 1996).
Distribution:
The
species
was
originally described
Alabama. This species
in the smaller rivers
is
by Conrad (1834), from small streams
widely distributed
and creeks. Very often
in
it
in
south
the Apalachicola River System, particularly
is
the only native species found at the
site.
The range
is
from the Suwannee River system
in Florida,
west to Texas, and north to the
Ohio River (Clench and Turner, 1956).
West Georgia
The
in
many
with
some
Habitat:
Little Spectaclecase {Villosa lienosa)
different habitat types; gravel in
mud
In shallow streams
V.
lienosa
fixed object such as rocks or logs.
specimens collected
moderate current,
was
easily
found
in this
study were found
shifting sand,
in
and sand mixed
pools anchored adjacent to
2
1
3|
4
6
'5
7
10
12
11
CENTIMETERS
Figure
9.
Photograph of Villosa lienosa,
5|
left
6
valve, external
7
8
view (female)
9
10
11
12
CENTIMETERS
Figure
internal
10.
Photograph of Villosa lienosa,
view (female)
left
valve, external
view and
right valve,
^^8 ^
^
•<*i
^
_
III
-
Figure
1 1
Photograph of Villosa lienosa,
left
llll
mi mi
8
°
valve, external
view (male)
\
Tjf
3
Figure 12. Photograph of Villosa lienosa,
internal
view (male)
11
4
8
left
9
valve, external
10
view and
12
right valve,
Conrad, 1834
Villosavibex
(Figs. 13, 14, 15,
and 16)
Southern rainbow
Synonyms: Unio vibex (Conrad, 1834)
Description:
Shell usually small, not exceeding
mm.
60
mm
in length,
though occasionally reaching 100
Outline subelliptical, valves subinflated. generally thin and translucent.
regularly rounded; posterior end of females
males, often slightly arcuate in females.
noticeable,
angle where
it
Anterior end
more broadly rounded, somewhat pointed
Dorsal margin straight with a very
slight,
meets the obliquely descending posterior margin.
in
if
Hinge
ligament small. Posterior ridge broadly rounded with the posterior slope slightly concave,
occasionally with faint wrinkles and ridges.
above the hinge
of several
smooth,
fine,
but
line,
Umbos
moderately swollen,
located in the anterior quarter of the
low, slightly double-looped ridges.
roughened by periostracum
shell, their
Surface of the shell
posteriorly.
greenish rays, which in darker specimens can be seen in transmitted
white, sometimes pinkish or purple, iridescent posteriorly.
somewhat
one
in
triangular, the rear
narrow before two
short,
front
numerous broad
light.
Nacre
bluish-
two
Left valve with
small
of the other, the anterior pseudocardinal tooth
one tends to
straight,
generally rather
is
Periostracum usually subshiny,
greenish-yellow, yellowish-brown to almost black, the entire surface with
pseudocardinal teeth,
slightly elevated
sculpture consisting
be
vestigial.
lateral teeth.
The
Hinge
line is fairly
two
right valve has
narrow, parallel pseudocardinal teeth which are separated by a narrow
pit,
long and
triangular,
the anterior
The beak
cavities tend to
be shallow, some dorsal muscle scars are impressed, posterior scars are
faint if visible.
tooth
is
vestigial or
Pallial line
sometimes absent, and on the
lateral tooth.
very distinct anteriorly (data from Johnson, 1972).
Distribution.
This species are found from the West Gulf Coastal Region, Alabama-Coosa River
System, and Apalachicolan Region: Pearl River System, Mississippi, east to the Suwannee
River System, Florida.
Peninsular Florida.
Southern Atlantic Slope:
AJtamaha River
System, Georgia, north to the coastal ponds of the Cape Fear River System, North
Carolina (Jenkinson, 1973).
West Georgia
Habitat:
Villosa vibex
was
rich in plant detritus,
collected in
of small
rivers
were usually found near the shore
a log or other structure.
mud
or soft sand, particularly where the substrate
and creeks.
in soft
The specimens
is
collected in this survey
sandy sediments and most often anchored beside
Some were found
at the shoreline in soft plant detritus
and
silt.
Photograph ofVillosa vibex,
left
valve, external
view (female)
Figure 14. Photograph of Villosa vibex,
left
valve, external
view and
Figure
13.
view (female)
right valve, internal
Photograph of Villosa vibex,
left
valve, external
view (male)
Figure 16. Photograph of Villosa vibex,
left
valve, external
view and
Figure
1
5.
view (male)
right valve, internal
Figure 18. Photograph of Villosa
view
sp., left valve, external
view and
right valve, internal
Elliptio
complcmala Lightfoot,
(Figs. 19
1
786
and 20)
Eastern Elliptio
Synonyms: Elliptio complcmatus (Solander) Clarke and Berg, 1959
Elliptio strigosus (Lea) partim. Clench and Turner,
1956
Description:
The
shell is generally long,
subelliptical.
Valves generally
uniformly trapezoidal, sometimes rhomboid, sometimes
flat
or subinflated, occasionally inflated. Posterior slope
to faintly concave (Clench and Turner, 1956).
rounded, sometimes rather angular, ending
1970).
1970).
a biangulation near the base (Johnson,
in
Shell tapers to a blunt point posteriorly.
but not high or
Color
is
full.
flat
Posterior ridge usually broad, double and
Umbo
well anterior to the center, broad,
Hinge ligament moderately long, narrow, and prominent (Johnson,
dull
shiny black,
to
sometimes dark blackish-brown or brown, or
sometimes greenish. Rayed specimens are occasionally encountered (Simpson,
Periostracum usually smooth and shiny on the
disc, but
somewhat
scaly and dull
ventral margin and over the posterior slope (Clench and Turner,
1956).
1892).
on the
The nacre
is
generally purplish, though often white, or slightly orange, iridescent, especially toward the
margins (Johnson, 1970). Typically, the Elliptio complanata
nearly rectangular, and has
(Fuller, 1971). Left valve
much
with two stumpy pseudocardinal teeth, one
the anterior one triangular, the hindmost one generally not
line.
shell is larger, heavier,
Left valve hinge line short and narrow;
two
much
in front
of the other,
elevated above the hinge
long, straight, granular lateral teeth.
Right valve with one chunky, serrated pseudocardinal, with a vestigial tooth
single lateral tooth.
more
darker and rougher periostracum than Elliptio icterina
in front
of its
30
Distribution:
This species
is
found
in the
Apalachicolan River System, Altamaha River System,
Georgia, north to the Saint Lawrence River System, Canada.
and
in parts
West Georgia
elliptio
Lake Superior
{EUiptio complanata) specimens collected in this study were found
a variety of habitats, ranging from between rocks
waters.
to
Habitat:
The Eastern
in
Westward
of the Hudson Bay drainage.
in fast
water to sandy
mud
in quiet
EUiptio complanata appear to be the most widely distributed Unionidae
in the
region covered by this survey, specimens were collected from four of the five streams in
this study.
Photograph of Elliptic) coniplanata,
left
valve, external
view
Figure 20. Photograph of Elliptic* eomplanata,
left
valve, external
view and
Figure 19
internal
view
right valve,
Elliptic icterina
Conrad, 1834
(Figs. 21
and 22)
Variable Spike
Synonyms: Unio icterinus Conrad,
1
834
EUiptio strigosus (Lea) partim. Clench and Turner, 1956.
Description:
small to
Shell
outline
is
medium,
variable, ranging
rarely reaching over 100
from subquadrate to
mm
in length
(Johnson, 1972).
valves are usually subinflated, subsolid to notably solid, and inequilateral.
rounded, posterior end
Shell
The
subelliptical, occasionally pointed.
The
anterior
end of the
shell is
pointed.
Ventral margin straight or slightly arcuate, sometimes obliquely descending
(Johnson, 1970); dorsal margin
descending posterior margin
low,
posterior ridge
is
slightly
in a
is
generally biangulate near the base, sometimes
curved or almost
more or
meeting the obliquely
Hinge ligament
broadly rounded, and usually weakly double.
concave. Hinge line
is
is
long and
Posterior slope
Disk surface
to slightly concave, often with very faint radial sculpture.
slightly
straight,
less distinct angle.
is
generally
flat
flat
or
short and narrow. Periostracum usually fine and shiny,
although sometimes heavy and rough, black, brownish-black, or yellowish-brown or bright
yellow, chestnut, occasionally with very fine green rays
purplish, although
iridescent.
Left valve with
other, usually the
valve has
(Keferl,
vestigial.
two
two long
two
short
is
in color,
chunky pseudocardinal
are of equal height and have
straight lateral teeth
1996). Right valve also has
posterior tooth
(Brim-Box 1996). Nacre usually
sometimes salmon, bluish-white, or pinkish
and the
two long
teeth,
and the posterior
one
in front
is
of the
straight lateral teeth. Left
right valve has a single lateral tooth
two approximately
parallel
usually serrated and chunky, and anterior tooth
pseudocardinal teeth,
is
generally short and
^
Distribution:
EUiptio icterina (Conrad, 1834), ranges from the Escambia River System
Apalachicolan Region, east through northern Florida, and north to the White
in
the
Oak River of
North Carolina.
West Georgia
Habitat:
Specimens were found
type of substrate.
in lakes,
ponds, small streams, and large rivers
In the Apalachicolan drainage EUiptio icterina
is
most
with EUiptio complanata, individuals of both species can be collected
(Johnson 1970).
in nearly
easily
at the
every
confused
same
site
Figure 21
Photograph ofEI/iptio
icterina, left valve, external
Figure 22. Photograph ofEIIiptio icterina,
internal
view
left
valve, external
view
view and
right valve,
Elliptic*
arc tata
Conrad, 1834
(Figs.
23 and 24)
Delicate Spike
Synonyms. Unio arctatus (Conrad, 1834), Unio strigosus Lea, 1840
EUiptio strigosus (Lea) partim. Clench and Turner, 1956.
Description:
Shell small,
arcuate.
seldom exceeding 60
mm
Valves compressed, umbos not
in length.
inflated, not
the anterior sixth of the shell (Brim-Box 1996).
dorsal muscle scars under the hinge plate.
to
shiny black,
or dark blackish-brown
Outline elongate, ventral margin
above hinge
The beak
Shell color varies,
to
line,
hinge located
cavities are shallow with
brown, older
sometimes greenish, or
shells
in
some
dull
tend to be darker.
Periostracum usually greenish or yellowish with green rays over the entire surface
becoming wider and more prominent toward the posterior end, sometimes dark burnt
brown on older
individuals.
splotches in color, iridescent
vestigial, triangular
straight lateral teeth
Nacre
is
usually dirty white or purplish with yellowish
on the posterior end. Left valve with two
pseudocardinal teeth, hinge
(Johnson 1970).
line short
short,
somewhat
and narrow; two low,
short,
Right valve with one large chunky pseudocardinal
tooth and one lateral tooth.
Distribution:
EUiptio arctata have been identified
in
the Mobile River System, Escambia and
Apalachicola Rivers, the Cooper-Santee, Cape Fear and Savannah Rivers of the Atlantic
Slope (Hurd 1974).
•.(,
West Georgia
Habitat:
EUiptio arctata are found
specimens
anchored
current.
in this
in
in
streams near shore under and
survey were most often found
small patches of sand, and
among
rock outcrops,
rocks.
The
swift
current,
most often with the siphons directed
into the
in
in
mil
Figure 23. Photograph of Elliptic) arctata,
left
valve, external
view
Figure 24. Photograph of Elliptic) arctata,
left
valve, external
view and
internal
view
right valve,
Megalonaias boykiniana
Lea,
1
(Figs.
840
25 and 26)
Round Washboard
Crenodonta boykiniana (Lea, 1840)
Synonym:
Description:
Shell winged, subquadrate or trapezoidal in outline, triangular, solid in structure,
somewhat
brown
inflated.
in adults.
Posterior slope
is
Young specimens
are olive green in color and dark
Specimens have been found
that
(Clench and Turner 1956).
rounded anteriorly and
have been measured up to 168 mm.
Young
individuals are usually
is
winged on the dorsal margin of
wing becomes
tapered to a blunt point posteriorly,
to the center of the shell, are moderately broad and are not
wide (Clench and Turner 1956); ligament short and
in
young
shells
lateral teeth,
and
to blackish-
concave with the posterior ridge absent or only poorly defined
slightly
the posterior slope and as the shell matures the shell
is
brown
and satiny
in older shells.
thin
less
umbos
full.
prominent.
Shell ligament long
(Lea 1857). Periostracum
Heavy pseudocardinal
Shell
are located anterior
is
and
shiny
teeth and long, straight
and white to pink nacre (Burch, 1975).
Distribution:
This species in found throughout the Chattahoochee, Ochlockonee, Apalachicola,
Chipola, Fline, and Escambia River Systems (Clench and Turner, 1956; Heard, 1977).
West Georgia
Habitat:
Megalonaias boykiniana
sandy
mud
reported
River.
to gravel,
in this
survey
is
found
in a variety
lime-rock rubble,
was found
at the
in
of substrates ranging from sand and
moderate currents.
The
single
specimen
confluence of Bull Creek and the Chattahoochee
Figure 25. Photograph
ofMegahnaias koykinicma,
right valve, external
view
Figure 26. Photograph of Megalonaias boykiniana, right valve, internal view
Uniomerus tetralasmus
Say,
(Figs.
1
83
27 and 28)
Pondhorn
Synonyms: Unio tetralasmus Say, 1831
Unio columbensis Lea, 1857
Description:
Shell
medium
subelliptical
Periostracum
to
is
to large in size, reaching 114
subquadrate
in
outline,
and
smooth,
in length, solid in structure,
inflated
(Clench
and
Turner,
1956).
dark brownish-black, uniform over the entire surface, yellowish-brown
young specimens (Lea, 1857), posterior slope
to center, broad and
full
slightly
roughened.
but not high (Clench and Turner, 1956).
consist of five or six heavy ridges that
front of
mm
Umbos
The umbonai sculpture
form a rounded angle on the posterior
which they tend to be corrugated (Johnson, 1970).
white, bluish-white or pinkish to intense purple.
Beak
in
located anterior
Pallial
ridge, in
line distinct,
cavities compressed,
nacre
but with
several muscle scars; anterior adductor muscle scars deep, posterior ones faint. Left valve
has
two ragged, subequal pseudocardinal
teeth and
two
straight lateral teeth. Right valve
has one triangular pseudocardinal often with a vestigial tooth above
it
and one
lateral
tooth (Johnson, 1970).
Distribution:
This species
is
found
in
the Apalachicolan region, Peninsular Florida, and
Southern Atlantic Slope rivers of Georgia (Keferl, 1996).
in
the
Also, in the Everglades of
southern Florida north to North Carolina and West to the Escambia River (Clench and
Turner, 1956).
West Georgia
Habitat:
Uniomerus tetralasmus generally
substrates (Johnson,
1970).
among rock outcropping
at
inhabits smaller streams
and ponds with
soft
muddy
Keferl (1994), found one living specimen and four shells
Chattsworth Road bridge, Muscogee County, Georgia.
J
1
1
1
1
]
H
TlffllMllfflllffl
1
1
f 1
1
J
M
1
1
1
i
1
1
MM
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
f
1
1
1 j
1
1
1
1
1
1
N
1
1
f
i
1
1 1
M
^
1
1
1
11
J
1
21
3|
1
4\
'5\
6\
7|
8l
Figure 27. Photograph of Uniomerus tetralasmus,
<?|
10l
111
12|
131
left
valve, external
view
left
valve, external
view and
E
Figure 28. Photograph of Uniomerus tetralasmus,
valve, internal
view
right
DISCUSSION
Chattahoochee River main channel, many of
In contrast with the
free flowing
(Couch and
others,
of (freshwater mussels) Unionidae bivalves found
species
However, the Piedmont Plateau
is
streams
that
is
A
in this
specific
rapid responses to storm events throughout the year
of
this action,
and
soil
Piedmont streams. Regional
porosity
Porous
relatively constant
in
environmental variables
drainage systems
Among
soils retain water, buffering
flow and are rarely dry
of mussel species than streams draining
soils
drainages prone to flooding and drying cycles
et al.,
1996)
As
The majority of the survey streams'
some type of
may
freshwater
runoff so streams draining them
Therefore, they support greater numbers
of poor water
(McMahon, 1991
infiltration
capacity and
).
habitats are lotic with only
stable substrate.
affect
sites
mouths and scattered
were
lotic
environments
Bedrock outcrops and shoal areas were
usually the ideal habitat to search for Unionidae bivalves: eighty three percent of
specimens included
in this
located in lentic habitats.
collected
As
494
7%
were
a result of this survey, ten Unionidae bivalves species
were
study were located
from 18 (37%) of 45
species from
a
the variables are surface geology
pools being slow moving. The most productive mussel
associated with
(Couch
freshwater mussels can not establish a viable reproducing population
mussel distribution patterns
have
of regional
Unionidae,
to
Piedmont streams have higher sustained flows during winter months and
show
most
system.
survey contain sparse isolated populations of
detrimental characteristic,
result
in
remain
the native
drainage
the
in
tributaries
many of
reported to have a very sparse mussel fauna (Heard,
1970) and the five streams included
Unionidae bivalves.
its
1996), a habitat requirement for
sites
in lotic habitats
and the remaining
1
surveyed. Jenkinson, 1973, collected nine unionacean
Halawakee and Uchee Creeks, north of the
Fall Line, in east
Alabama; these
creeks are also part of the Chattahoochee River drainage basin.
When
considering productive and non-productive stream
sites,
it
seems advisable to
consider each stream individually, beginning with the most northern and proceeding
southward.
Mountain Oak Creek
Six
sites
productive
two
shell
were sampled and unionid species were encountered
sites
were
in
at three.
lentic dwelling species
lengths of specimens
of Anodontas.
collected
Figures 29 and 30
Five
Mountain Oak Creek; Anodonta imbecihs,
Anodonta grandis, one specimen each of
exhibit a
three
show
the distribution of
Unionidae species were collected from
Anodonta peggyae,
Elliptic)
two specimens of
complanata and Villosa
populations of the Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea) were encountered.
30
The
the lower reaches and revealed viable, reproducing populations of
bimodal or trimodal distribution of
Anodonta unionids encountered
in
drawdown of Harding Reservoir every
responsible for this phenomenon.
shell length classes
Mountain Oak Creek,
and
of the most abundant
suggesting
that the rapid
three years for shoreline maintenance
The three
vibex,
Figures 29 and
collection sites in the upper reaches
is
directly
were void
of Unionidae but contain abundant populations of the Asiatic clam Corbicula fluminea.
25
20
1
20
30
ii
s
.
40
50
60
Shell Length
70
80
90
100
(mm)
Figure 29. Frequency of size classes (Anodonta imbecilis) Mt.
Oak Creek (n=58)
110
25
20
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Shell Length
80
90
100
(mm)
Figure 30. Frequency of size classes {Anodonta peggyae) Mt.
Oak Creek (n=25)
110
47
Mulberry Creek
Mulberry Creek
is
an unstable drainage system; a minimal amount of precipitation
the headwaters basin will cause the stream to be
headwater portion of Mulberry
occasional
pools,
isolated
surrounded by
1
5 to
20 large
is
a typical
shoal
tracts
areas,
of
laden for
silt
its
entire length.
Piedmont stream with moderately
and
shifting
substrate;
silviculture properties.
Eleven
swift water,
headwaters
its
sites
for unionid bivalves with only three sites producing unionid specimens.
in
The
are
were surveyed
Representative
specimens of EUiptio complanata, EUiptio arciata, Elliptio icterina, and Villosa vibex
were taken
at the
productive
sites.
approximately two miles east of
found
in a
US
The most eastward specimen producing
highway 27, a
site
was
specimen of Villosa vibex was
muskrat midden. The upper third of Mulberry Creek appears to be unsuitable
habitat for unionid bivalves, because
of
its
clay bottom, moderately swift water, shifting
coarse sand substrate, and very often heavy
channel has
soft
single
many
silt
loads.
The lower two
shoal areas with sluggish water upstream, but the
silt
thirds
of the main
deposition
is
very
and several inches deep, making the habitat inhospitable for stream dwelling
unionacean bivalves. Corbicula fluminea was encountered
well adapted to
all
habitat types.
at
every
site
and appears to be
Standing Boy Creek
The headwaters of Standing Boy Creek flow through
The
cattle pasture land.
substrate
being composed of clay and shifting sand and there were no Unionidae or Asian clams
encountered
at
the headwater
site.
A
total
EUiptio arctata,
16 Elliptic) icterina,
specimens of an unidentified
on map # 12 of appendix
A
it
,
but
at
sites
downstream were
14 Villosa lienosa,
Villosa species
Corbicula fluminea was present
moderately disturbed
of nine
Twenty specimens of
four sites producing unionacean species.
every
two
visited,
with
complanata,
the productive
at
except the most eastern
site
as
sites.
shown
The lower portion of Standing Boy Creek has been only
appears that
in the
near future suburban neighborhoods will
be expanding northward from Columbus, Georgia, into
drainage.
this
This rapid
expansion could cause irreparable habitat destruction to the already impacted stream.
the very recent past there
lake
was drained
a
was
a lake
few years ago, and
impoundment of the creek
it
is
the benthic dwelling mussels downstream.
old gristmill
dam
not
shells
km
constructed of concrete; above the dam,
were collected and
it
at
known what impact
Approximately 0.8
occurred to within a meter of the top. Below the
empty
1
Villosa vibex, and three
were collected
site visited
Elliptic?
dam
in
Camp
this
In
Callaway, the
occurrence had on
below the lake
site is
an
sediment deposition has
the overwash areas
more than 50
appears that this large collection of shells could have
been caused by the release of large amounts of water from the impoundment thus,
displacing
the Unionidae from their benthic habitat and stranding them several meters
above the normal stream
level.
49
Bull
Creek
Seven
sites
in the survey.
course.
were
visited
on Bull Creek which
is
the most impacted stream encountered
The headwaters have two impoundments and
The uppermost impoundment
is
are surrounded by a golf
the property of an individual citizen, and the golf
course and lower impoundment are municipal government property.
the section of creek from Schatulga
Anodonta imbed lis and
five,
one
Road
live
site at
Road
In a
two
1994 survey of
live
shells
specimens of
of Uniomerus
Six sites yielded only specimens of
C'or bi cu la
the confluence with the Chattahoochee River yielded only a
recent dead right valve of Megalonaias boykiniana.
survey conducted by Keferl,
unionacean bivalves.
22, only
and four recent dead empty
tetralasmus were found (Keferl, 1994).
fluminea and one
to State
The
results
1994, indicate that Bull Creek
is
of
this
survey and the
essentially
devoid of
Upatoi Creek
Upatoi Creek
located in
is
the largest stream included in this survey and
two geologic provinces. From about 1950
surrounded by orchards of peach
row crops such
trees,
Today
this
Sixteen sample sites were visited during the spring and
km
The productive
sites
The most abundant populations were encountered
two genera and
five species.
Elliptic? icterina
and
five Villosa vibex.
specimens of E. Coniplanata and
shown
Teal
in figures
Road
site,
Juniper Creek.
summer
were located
1
silviculture
996, with five sites
in a
31 and 32.
Henosa
V.
at the
Teal
Road
The most common Unionidae
Upatoi Creek were Elliptic coniplanata, 1 89 and
were seven
is in
section of creek
between Teal Road (County Rd. 96) and the confluence of Juniper Creek.
in length,
representing
same area
cattle.
producing Unionidae specimens.
12
is
was
whereas from 1970 to 1985 the area was used for
as soybeans, corn, peanuts, and rye.
and pasture lands for
the only one that
is
to 1970 the headwater drainage
site,
specimens
species found in
Villosa Henosa, 99 and also collected
Shell length distribution patterns for
included in the Upatoi Creek survey are
There were no unionid specimens located upstream of the
nor were any found
in
Upatoi Creek downstream of the confluence with
30
2^
20
H
15-
10
!l
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Shell Length
Figure 3
1
.
Frequency of size classes
(Elliptic*
55
60
65
70
75
80
(mm)
complanata) Upatoi Creek (n=l 89)
85
30
25
20
g
15
h™
1
10
15
20
25
™-\ ™~i
30
35
Ba
8
1
40
Shell
1
45
I
h^H
H
50
55
60
1
65
1
1
70
75
Length (mm)
Figure 32. Frequency of size classes (Villosa lienosa) Upatoi Creek (n=99)
1
80
85
CLAM
DISCUSSION OF THE ASIATIC
The introduced
mussel
at
in the five
Asiatic clam Corbicula fluminea (Muller, 1774)
creek systems included
habitat exception
is
in all substrate types,
it
acidic habitats
(McMahon, 1991
).
calcium concentrations.
Low pH
older individuals
penetration occurs
if shell
the most abundant
mud,
gravel,
silt,
and sand.
pH
an inhospitable environment, even for C. fluminea The
majority of species prefer alkaline waters with the
more
is
density of C. fluminea varied
the lower portion of Upatoi Creek, which has an average
6.7 and alkalinity five, making
in
The
few per square meter to hundreds per square meter.
the collection sites from a
Corbicula fluminea was found thriving
The only
in this survey.
pH
above
7.0;
Habitats of low
pH
species diversity declines
generally also have
low
leads to shell dissolution and eventually mortality in
(McMahon,
1991).
The minimum ambient
calcium concentration tolerated by freshwater bivalves appears to be the concentration
which the rates of calcium uptake and deposition to the
from the
shell dissolution
(McMahon,
I
shell
at
exceed the calcium loss rate
and diffusion, allowing maintenance of shell integrity and growth
1991).
did not find any instance of C. fluminea being in direct competition with native
Unionidae.
Of greatest
concern are substratum space and food use by Asian clams and
juvenile mussels, particularly in streams
limited (Neves, 1992).
where
either
of these requisite resources may be
Instances were documented of C. fluminea as a readily available
food resource for wildlife
and
in
some cases
it
was noted
that C.
fluminea were being
taken by predators instead of native bivalves because of availability and accessibility. This
bivalve seems to be able to survive and flourish in disturbed habitats unsuitable for
Unionidae bivalves.
In the future, C.
animal feeds and
fluminea may provide an important protein and calcium supplement
may
serve as a food resource for
(Sickel and Heyn, 1980)
man
in
North America as
it
does
in
in
Asia
CONCLUSIONS
The absence of mussels can
when and where
many
their
logically
be an indication of environmental disruption only
former presence can be demonstrated
species of Unionidae
were described
However
Columbus, Georgia (Clench and Turner, 1956);
Clench
failed to find a single freshwater
1929 (Clench and Turner, 1956).
unionacean bivalves
in
mollusk
(Fuller, 1974). Historically,
from the Chattahoochee River,
originally
W.J.
during a collecting
trip in
at this locality
Ruth Turner did not
W.J. Clench and
find
Columbus, Georgia during
the Chattahoochee River at
at
Peter Okkelberg and
any
their
collecting trips in 1953 and 1954, and considered the river to be depauperate of freshwater
mussels (Clench and Turner, 1956).
Athearn (1955) located a limited number of species
both above and below Columbus, Georgia,
Turner, 1956).
It is
main channel of the
the
US
in
the Chattahoochee River (Clench and
not clear whether the historical collectors are
river or the river
and
its tributaries.
referring only to the
The three-year survey
initiated
by
Fish and Wildlife Service, in 1991, to determine the status of six species of mussels
the Fat Three-ridge,
Amblema
neislerii; the
Winged
Spike, Elliptic nigella; the Purple
Bankclimber, Elliptoideus sloatianus; the Lined Pocketbook, Lampsilis binominata; the
Pocketbook, Lampsilis subangulata;
Shiny-rayed
pyriforme, did not include the historic
because collectors
listed species.
in
more
site,
and the Oval Pigtoe,
Plurobema
Chattahoochee River, Columbus, Georgia
recent historic times had not reported any of the proposed
Therefore, collecting efforts were focused elsewhere, mainly in drainages
south of the Fall Line.
In
my
opinion, in
some
instances, collectors acted in haste
when
concluding: "Although riverine mussels were probably once abundant in the main channel
of the Chattahoochee River, they appear to
river"
(FWS
Standing
now be
extirpated from the entire length of the
Survey, 1994).
Boy and Upatoi Creeks
contained the largest and most diverse populations of
Unionidae bivalves of the creeks visited during
this survey.
Populations of Unionidae
found
in
Upatoi Creek, as mentioned
adjoining this stretch of Upatoi Creek
is
Mead Coated Board
is still
Upatoi Creek
is
Corportation) and
in close
km
located in a continuous 12
earlier, are
from Teal Road to the confluence with Juniper Creek.
The majority of the
stretch
properties
held by large paper producing companies (ex.
relatively undistrubed.
Also, this stretch of
proximity to the Fall Line, and the floodplains and surface
geology are more similar to that of the Coastal Plain Geologic Province than to the
Piedmont Province.
The surrounding
more porous, allowing water
soils are
and preventing severe channel damage from seasonal storm events (which
the Piedmont).
km
stretch
recently a
The productive
between
sites visited
US Highway
low impact
area.
is
a
to infiltrate
common
on Standing Boy Creek are located
in
27 and Georgia Highway 103, which has been
At the time
this
survey was conducted
in
the 16
until
Unionidae bivalves
continue to inhabit isolated niches which are associated with numerous rock outcrops and
shoal areas in this stretch of Standing
Boy
Creek.
pressure from expanding suburban communities
remaining population and their natural habitat
Exposed rock outcrops,
productive
There
sites in the
is
as
shoals,
in
is
As mentioned
earlier,
increased
beginning to adversely affect the
the western section of the 16
and free flowing water are
properties
km
common
stretch.
to the
study area.
much
confusion concerning the taxonomic relationships of the area's
freshwater Unionidae today as was the case historically, especially concerning the genus
EUiptio.
Many of the
Elliplio specimens collected during this survey have been identified
as different species by different authorities and this
complexity of this widespread group of Unionidae.
is
understandable because of the
In an attempt to alleviate
some of the
taxonomic questions related to EUiptio and other genera, genetic studies are being carried
out by research groups to establish phylogenetic relationships within the groups.
samples from some specimens collected
The Savannah River Ecology Lab
in this
Tissue
study have been sent to Dr. Peg Mulvey
for genetic
analysis.
incomplete and the results cannot be reported here.
At
this
writing,
analysis
at
is
It is
hoped
that this survey will aid malacologists in providing geographical data that
has not been provided in the past for this region.
REFERENCES CITED
Brim-Box,
Personal communication.
1996.
J.C.
National Biological Survey.
Gainsville,
Florida.
Burch, J.B.
Freshwater Unionacean Clams (Mollusca: Pelecypoda) of North
Hamburg, Michigan: Malacological Publications. 204 p.
1975.
America. Revised ed
Butler, R.S.
Results of a status survey for eight freshwater mussels (Bivalvia
1993.
:
Unionidae) endemic to eastern gulf drainages of the Apalachicola region of southeast
Alabama, southwest Georgia, and north Florida.
US
Unpublished report.
Fish and
Wildlife Service.
Clarke,
AH,
Jr.,
and Berg,
CO
1959.
The freshwater mussels of
with an illustrated key to the species of northeastern North America.
Mem.
367: 1-79.
& R D.
Turner.
Agr. Exp. Sta.
Clench,
W
Florida,
from the Escambian to the Suwanee River.
Sci. 1(3)
:
J.
1956.
central
New York
Cornell University
Freshwater Mollusks of Alabama, Georgia and
Bull. Florida St.
Mus. Of Biological
97-239.
Couch, Carol A, Evelyn H.Hopkins, and P.Suzanne Hardy, (US Geologic Survey) 1996.
Influences
on Aquatic Ecosystems in the ApalachicolaUS Department of the Interior.
Available from: US Geologic Survey, Denver, CO.
of Environmental
Settings
Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin. Atlanta, Georgia:
Report 95-4278. 58
Fuller, S.L.H.
p.
1971.
A brief field
Unionacea) of the Savannah
Hart,
Jr.
Academic
and S.L.H
Press,
Heard, W.H.
drainages.
In
New
Fuller,
editors.
18:
137-146.
Pages 215-273
in:
C.W
Pollution ecology of freshwater invertebrates.
York.
Eastern freshwater mollusks
1970.
:
Assoc. Southeast. Biol. Bull.
Clams and mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia).
1974
Fuller, S.L.H.
guide to the fresh-water mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia:
river system.
AMU symposium:
(II)
The south
Atlantic and Gulf
Rare and endangered mollusks. Malacologia
10(1)
:
23-27.
Heard, W.H.
Pub.
FLDNR
1977.
no.
Freshwater mollusks of the Apalachicola drainage.
293
:
20-21.
FL Mar.
Res.
J.C. 1974
Systematics and Zoogeography of the Unionacean mollusks of the
Coosa River drainage of Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee [dissertation]. Auburn (AL):
Auburn University. 255 p. Available from: University Library, Auburn, AL.
Hurd,
1994.
Keferl, E.P.
Partial
Survey of Bull Creek, Muscogee County, Georgia for Fresh-
Water Mollusks. Telephone conservation.
Keferl,
E P.
1996. Personal Communication. Brunswick College. Brunswick,
Johnson, R.I.
GA.
The Systematics and Zoogeography of the Unionidae (Mollusca:
Bull. Mus. Comp. Zoology
140 (6)
1970.
Bivalvia) of the Southern Atlantic Slope Region.
:
263-449.
Johnson, R.I.
Museum
1972.
The Unionidae (Mollusca:
of Biological Science.
Jenkinson,
J.J.
16 (4)
:
Distribution and
1973.
FL
Bivalvia) of Peninsular Florida.
Zoogeography of the Unionidae
in
four creek
systems in east-central Alabama, [thesis] Auburn, (AL): Auburn University. 107
Available from: University Library, Auburn,
Lea,
I.
1857. Descriptions of twenty seven
Acad. Nat.
Sci. Phila. 9:
J.
1992.
p.
AL
new
species of Uniones, from Georgia. Proc.
169-172.
McMahon, Robert F. 1991. Mollusca: Bivalvia. In: Thorp, James H. and Alan
Ecology and Classification of North American Freshwater Invertebrates. New
Academic Press, Inc. p. 315-399.
Neves, Richard
State
181-249.
P.
Covich.
York,
A State-of-the-Unionids Address. Conservation and Management
UMRCC Symposium. 10 p.
of Freshwater Mussels: Proceedings of a
Sheldon, Doug.
Personal Communication, Environmental Consultant, Mobile, Alabama.
James B. and Michael W. Heyn 1980. Decline of the Asiatic clam, Corbicula
in the lower Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Department of Biology, Murray
State University. Murray, Kentucky. 3 p.
Sickel,
fluminea,
Simpson, Charles T.
States.
Proc.
US Nat.
Simpson, Charles T.
1892. Notes on the Unionidae of Florida and the Southeastern
Mus. 15:405-436.
1895
Fresh- Water Mussels. Proc.
The
Classification
US
Nat. Mus.
and Geographical Distribution of the Pearly
295-344.
18:
Stolzenburg, William.
1992.
The Mussels' Message. Nature Conservancy.
No v. /Dec.
A
many of
p.
17-23.
Webb, Walter
F.
1942.
United States Mollusca:
Descriptive Manual of
Marine, Land and Fresh Water shells of North America, north of Mexico
Bookcraft Publishers,
Wharton, C.H.
Bulletin 114,
227
the
ed.
New York, NY.
1978.
p.
First
The
natural environments of Georgia: Georgia Geologic Survey
APPENDIX - A
Study Area and Unionidae Species Distribution
The following 12 maps
of sample
in the locations
indicate the locations
sites in
Appendix
-
of sample
B
site
Maps
and landmarks referred to
and the distributions of each of the
freshwater bivalve species encountered in this study.
Map #12
the sites at which the Asiatic clam Corbicida flttmima
was encountered.
These maps are derived from a tracing of the
US
in
Appendix
A indicates
-
Geologic Survey
1
:
500,000
topographic map, State of Georgia, 1970 edition. The tracing was electronically scanned
and reduced to a computer graphics program for further manipulation.
the sample sites
A
circle
[
is
O
as accurate as the size and scale of the
]
map will
represents a non-productive sample site
represents a productive site for the species
The placement of
allow.
and a darkened
circle
[
•
]
Map
1.
Streams included
in this
study with sample sites indicated
Map
2
The
distribution of Anodonta imbecilis (Say,
1
829) within the study area
Map
3
The distribution of Anodonta peggyae (Johnson, 1965) within the study area
Map
4 The distribution of Anodonta grandis (Say, 1829) within the study area
Map
5.
The distribution of Villosa lienosa (Conrad, 1834) within
the study area
Map
6.
The
distribution of Villosa vibex (Conrad,
1
834) within the study area.
86°0€
'
)
\
f
1
*?
/
6
JiffII
1
1
1
f
is
io
1
1
1
I
1
1
IV
/
/
'
^
^
-J*
X/
"l)
\
Miles
\
1
\\
33°00'
s
o
•
N
Qfe0
\$g£~T
WuU&wr
-kA
1
^T"
/
C
\
Talbotton
1
I
/
\
JJu
1
J
x y
A
/
A
s
1
Ho
•
O
^>
Productive sites
Non-productive
Map
7
Buena Vista
Cusseta
s tes
The distribution of Elliptic complanata
V
J
(Lightfoot,
1
786) within the study area
Map
8
The
distribution
of Elliptic) icterina (Conrad, 1834) within the study area
Map
9 The distribution oiElliptio arctata (Conrad,
1
834) within the study area
Map
1
The
distribution of Megalonaias boykiniana (Lea,
1
840) within the study
area.
Map
1
1
The
distribution of
Uniomerus tetralasmus (Say,
1
83
1
)
within the study area
Map
1
2.
The
distribution of Corbicula Jluminea (Muller,
1
774) within the study area.
APPENDIX - B
Location of Survey Collection Sites
Appendix
this survey.
B
consists of a
The
sites are
list
of stream
sites
which were used as collection points for
arranged by creek system and are
listed in
order from the
headwaters to the mouth. The creeks are arranged in the order they occur from north to
south.
The
locations of sample sites
were taken from a
topographic map, State of Georgia, 1970 edition.
measured betwe'en the collecting
Two
site
US
The
Geologic Survey 1:500,000
distances from
and the major highway intersection
towns were
in the
towns
measurements were made to improve the accuracy of the described location of the
sample
sites.
Mountain Oak Creek
Mountain Oak Creek
Pine Mountain, 10.0
air
at
km (6.2
Mountain Oak Creek
Whitesville, 15.0 air
km
air
km
air mi.)
at State
(3. 1 air
at State
mi.)
Road 219
km
bridge, 2.5 air
(1.6 air mi.) south of
WNW of Hamilton, Harris County, Georgia.
(9.3 air mi.)
Mountain Oak Creek
Hamilton, 5.0
air km (7.5 air mi.) WSW of
NNW of Hamilton, Harris County, Georgia.
County Road 71 bridge, 12.0
Road 103
km
bridge, 18.0 air
WNW of Mountain
Hill,
(11.2 air mi.) west of
Harris County, Georgia.
Mountain Oak Creek at Lick Skillet Road bridge (County road 389), 6.5 air km
Mountain Hill, 12.0 air km (7.5 air mi.) SSW of Whitesville, Harris
(4.0 air mi.) west of
County, Georgia
Mountain Oak Creek
12.5 air
km (7.8-air mi.) SSW
14.0 air
km (8.7
1.0 air
Mountain Oak Creek 2.0
air mi.)
SSW
km
(0.6 air mi.) west of Lick Skillet
Road
bridge,
Road
bridge,
of Whitesville, Harris County, Georgia.
air
km
(1.3 air mi.) west
of Lick
Skillet
of Whitesville, Harris County, Georgia.
Mulberry Creek
Mulberry Creek
Hall, 12.0 air
km (6.2
at
Alabama Road
air mi.)
bridge, 4.5 air
km
(2.8 air mi.)
NNE of Waverly
south of Shiloh, Harris County, Georgia.
Mulberry Creek at Georgia Highway 85 bridge, 3.0 air km (1.9 air mi.) north of
Waverly Hall, 12.0 air km (7.5 air mi.) south of Shiloh, Harris County, Georgia.
Mulberry Creek at County Dirt Road #205, 4.0 air km (2.5 air mi.)
Waverly Hall, 12.0 air km (7.5 air mi.) SSE of Hamilton, Harris County, Georgia.
Mulberry Creek
km (5.0
air mi.)
at
air
km
air
at
(8.
Mulberry Creek
Hamilton, 10.0
air
km
(4.3 air mi.)
SSE of Hamilton,
8
of
air
NNW of Waverly Hall, Harris County, Georgia.
Mulberry Creek
Hamilton, 13.0
Winfree Road, 7.0
NNW
1
at
km (6.2
U.S. highway 27 bridge, 5.5
air mi.)
Hudson
air mi.)
air
km
(3.4 air mi.) south of
west of Waverly Hall, Harris County, Georgia.
Mill
Road
bridge, 8.0 air
SSE of Mountain Hill,
km
(5.0 air mi.)
SSW
of
Harris County, Georgia.
Mulberry Creek at Mulberry Grove Road bridge, 6.5 air km (4.0 air mi.) East of
Mountain Hill, 10.0 air km (6.2 air mi.) SSW of Hamilton, Harris County, Georgia.
Mulberry Creek
Hill, 5.0 air
km (3.
1
Mulberry Creek
Mountain
Hill,
at
Mountain
air mi.)
9.0 air
at
Road, 4.8
air
km
(3.0 air mi.)
Georgia Highway 103 bridge, 8.5
km (5.6
Mulberry Creek
Hill
SSE of Mountain
NNW of Mulberry Grove, Harris County, Georgia.
air mi.)
air
km
(5.3 air mi.) south
of
west of Mulberry Grove, Harris County, Georgia.
SSW
1.5 air
km
at the
confluence of the Chattahoochee River, Harris County,
(0.9 air mi.)
of Georgia Highway 103 bridge,
Harris County, Georgia.
Mulberry Creek
Georgia.
Standing Boy Creek
Standing
km
(4.5 air mi.)
Boy Creek
2.0 air
km
of U.S. Highway 27, and 4.0
(1.4 air mi.) east
air
west of Ellerslie, Harris County, Georgia.
Standing
Boy Creek
U.S. Highway 27 bridge 6.5
at
Mulberry Grove, Harris County,
GA
and 9.0
air
km
air
km
SSE of
(4.0 air mi.)
(5.5 air mi.)
NNW
of Midland,
Muscogee County, Georgia.
Standing
Mountain
Standing
Cataula and
1 1
2
Standing
Mobley
Dam
Boy Creek
and 8.0
Hill
air
at
km
Boy Creek
air
at Interstate
km (7.0
Boy Creek
11.3 air
km
Fortson Road bridge 11.0
air
km
SSE of
(6.8 air mi.)
(5.0 air mi.) west of Cataula, Harris County, Georgia.
air mi.)
185 bridge 11.0
SSE of Mountain Hill,
air
km
(6.8 air mi.)
west of
Harris County, Georgia.
Road at Camp Callaway and below Lake
SSE of Mountain Hill and 4.8 air km (3.0 air mi.)
north of Whitesville
(7.1 air mi.)
NNW of Fortson, Harris County, Georgia.
Boy Creek
Standing
(3.3 air mi.)
0.1 air
km
west of Whitesville Road bridge and 5.5
air
km
west of Fortson, Harris County, Georgia.
Standing
Boy Creek
at
Georgia Highway 103 bridge 8.3
air
km
(5.1 air mi.)
SSW
of Fortson, Harris County, Georgia.
Standing
Boy Creek
at the
Boy Creek
at the
confluence of Hefierhorn Creek,
Muscogee County,
Georgia.
Standing
County, Georgia.
confluence of the Chattahoochee River,
Muscogee
Bull
Creek
Bull Creek at Old
Warm
Midland, Muscogee County,
GA
Road
Springs
and 9.0
air
bridge 3.0
km
air
km
(1.8 air mi.)
SSE of
(5.8 air mi.)
SSW
of
Fortson, Harris
County, Georgia.
Bull Creek at U.S.
Muscogee County,
GA
Highway 27A bridge
and 10.0
air
km
km
3.0 air
(6.2 air mi.)
(1.8 air mi.)
SSE of
SSW
of Midland,
Fortson, Harris County,
Georgia.
Bull Creek at U.S.
Muscogee County,
GA
Highway 80
and 11.2
air
culvert 4.5 air
km
km
(7.0 air mi.)
(2.8 air mi.)
SSE of
SSW
of Midland,
Fortaon, Harris County,
Georgia.
Bull Creek at Georgia
Muscogee County,
GA
Highway 22
and 13.0
air
km
4.8 air
km
SSW
(3.0 air mi.)
(8.1 air mi.) south
of Midland,
of Cataula, Harris County,
Georgia.
Woodruff Farm Road
Bull Creek at
Muscogee County,
GA
and 17.3
air
km
10.5 air
km
(6.5 air mi.)
SSW
of Midland,
(10.7 air mi.) south of Cataula, Harris County,
Georgia.
Bull Creek at Old Cusseta
GA and
County,
19.0 air
km
(1
Road
.8 air
1
19.0 air
km
(1 1.8 air mi.)
south of Fortson, Harris
SSW of Midland, Muscogee County,
mi.)
Bull Creek at the confluence of the Chattahoochee River,
Georgia.
Muscogee County,
Georgia.
Upatoi Creek
Upatoi Creek
4.0 air
km (2.5
at Carisle
Upatoi Creek
and 9.7
air
km
km
(6.7 air mi.)
air
k (5.3
air mi.)
south of Talbotton and
Talbot County, Georgia.
U.S. Highway 80 bridge 1.2
at
at
Teal
SSW
Upatoi Creek 1.8
(6.3 air mi.)
bridge 8.5
air
km
(0.8 air mi.) north of
Geneva
(6.0 air mi) south of Talbotton, Talbot County, Georgia.
Upatoi Creek
air
Road
NNE of Geneva,
air mi.)
Road bridge
2.9 air
km (1.7
air mi.)
west of Geneva and 10.5
of Talbotton, Talbot County, Georgia.
air
km
SSW of Talbotton,
(1.1 air mi.)
NNW of Teal Road bridge
Talbot County, Georgia.
and 10.0
air
km
Upatoi Creek 3.0
(7.7 air mi.)
SSW
Upatoi Creek
and 3.5
air
km
at
(2.3 air
Upatoi Creek
Juniper and 3.5 air
(1.8 air mi.) west
of Teal Road bridge and 12.5
air
km
Highway 80 bridge
U.S.
5.7 air
km
(3.5 air mi.)
SSW
of Geneva
mi north of Juniper, Talbot County, Georgia
the confluence of Juniper Creek 1.5 air
at
km
Upatoi Creek
(1.2 air mi.) east
km
air
of Talbotton, Talbot County, Georgia.
km
(1.0 air mi.) west of
(2.2 air mi.) east of Box Springs, Talbot County, Georgia.
at the
confluence of Scoggins Creek (Thomas' Bottoms) 2.0
of Box Springs and
3
4
air
km
(2.1
air mi.)
air
km
west of Juniper, Talbot
County, Georgia.
Upatoi Creek
Juniper and 11.5
air
Upatoi Creek
Box
at
km
Springs (King's Bottoms) 5.0
(7.3 air mi.
at
U.S.
Chattahoochee County,
GA
SSW
Highway 27 bridge 16
and 20.5
air
air
km
(3.1
air mi.)
west of
of Geneva, Talbot County, Georgia.
km
air
km
(9.9 air mi.)
(12.7 air mi.)
SSW
NNW of Cusseta,,
of Midland, Muscogee
County, Georgia.
Upatoi Creek 4.5
(12.4 air mi.)
Upatoi Creek
mi.)
air
km
(2.8 air mi.) east of Chattahoochee River and 20.0 air
NNW of Cusseta, Chattahoochee County,
at the
confluence of the Chattahoochee River 20.0
WNW of Cusseta, Chattahoochee County, Georgia.
km
Georgia.
air
km
(12 4
air