Reproductive phenology and the influence of temperature in two sympatric New Zealand freshwater mussel species

Michele Melchior; Susan J. Clearwater; Kevin J. Collier

doi:10.1071/MF23072

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Previous Contents Vol 74(17)

Reproductive phenology and the influence of temperature in two sympatric New Zealand freshwater mussel species

Michele Melchior

^A ^B ^* , Susan J. Clearwater

^C and Kevin J. Collier

^A

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Environmental Research Institute, The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.

^B National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, New Zealand.

^C Department of Conservation, Hamilton, New Zealand.

^* Correspondence to: michele.melchior@niwa.co.nz

Handling Editor: Michael Joy

Marine and Freshwater Research 74(17) 1478-1491 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF23072

Submitted: 12 April 2023 Accepted: 11 November 2023 Published: 1 December 2023

© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Context

Phenology plays a key role in shaping population dynamics, community structure and evolutionary adaptations. For freshwater mussels that rely on a parasitic larval (glochidia) phase on fish, shifts in reproductive phenology driven by environmental conditions may result in mismatches between glochidia release and host fish availability.

Aims

We investigated intra- and interspecific reproductive timing variations in sympatric Echyridella aucklandica and E. menziesii, and identified thermal cues (accumulated degree days, ADD) associated with brooding and glochidia maturation.

Methods

Brooding activity and glochidia maturation were assessed fortnightly–monthly over 1 year within four New Zealand streams.

Results

The previously unknown phenology of E. aucklandica showed earlier brooding (May–July) and longer gravidity (9–11 months) than for E. menziesii (August; 6–7 months). Both species exhibited peak brooding in late austral spring–summer (November–December). ADD played a key role in regulating the timing of brooding onset in both species, as evidenced by the narrow ADD range observed across sites, and the relationship between ADD and brooding onset in both species.

Conclusion

The demonstrated link between ADD and reproductive phenology has broad implications in the context of climate change. Specifically, it raises concerns about potential timing mismatches in glochidia release and host-fish availability, which could affect the survival and reproductive success of freshwater mussels.

Keywords: Echyridella aucklandica, Echyridella menziesii, host fish, New Zealand, phenology, reproductive timing, temperature, Unionida.

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