Natural Resources, School of
School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Accessibility Remediation
If you are unable to use this item in its current form due to accessibility barriers, you may request remediation through our remediation request form.
First Advisor
Mark A. Pegg
Committee Members
Jonathan Spurgeon, Keith Koupal
Date of this Version
5-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Citation
A thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science
Major: Natural Resource Sciences
Under the supervision of Professor Mark A. Pegg
Lincoln, Nebraska, May 2026
Abstract
Freshwater mussels are one of the most imperiled groups of organisms in North America, with over two-thirds of species considered threatened, endangered, or of special concern. These long-lived bivalves are essential to stream ecosystems, acting as filter feeders that improve water quality and as indicators of aquatic health. In Nebraska and Wyoming, native mussel populations have declined sharply due to habitat modification, pollution, and reduced connectivity. Two species of particular concern are the Plain Pocketbook Lampsilis cardium, listed as Tier I at-risk in Nebraska, and the Fatmucket Lampsilis siliquoidea, a Tier II at-risk species. In response, state agencies and conservation groups have initiated reintroduction programs, stocking thousands of hatchery-reared mussels since 2016. This project evaluates the outcomes of those stocking efforts across 10 study sites in Nebraska and eastern Wyoming. Using passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags and glue-dot marking, we monitored survival, growth, and potential recruitment of reintroduced mussels. Field surveys also collected habitat and water quality data, while fish assemblages were sampled to assess the availability of host species necessary for mussel reproduction. Data were analyzed with mark-recapture models to estimate survival rates and growth. By combining ecological monitoring with quantitative modeling, this study provided critical insight into the success of mussel reintroduction efforts in Nebraska and eastern Wyoming. Results will also inform management strategies for sustaining and restoring native mussel populations, with implications that extend beyond Nebraska and Wyoming to other regions facing similar conservation challenges.
Advisor: Mark A. Pegg
Included in
Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Hydrology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons, Water Resource Management Commons
Comments
Copyright 2026, Travis A. Moore. Used by permission