From 2015-2017 Biotactic performed a mussel relocation project in the Teeswater River as part of the reconstruction of the Big Irwin Bridge. The Teeswater River is known to support populations of Rainbow Mussel (Villosa iris)
Freshwater Mussel Identification
Images and descriptions of freshwater mussel species in Ontario, Canada
Wavy-Rayed Lampmussel Monitoring
In a few rivers in Canada including the Grand River, Ontario, this endangered unionid bivalve uses lures to attract smallmouth bass as part of its reproductive cycle. When a fish approaches the lure (one lure type imitates a leach, one imitates a crayfish and the other lure type imitates a darter – see pictures below), the mussel expels numerous glochidia into the mouth of a smallmouth bass. The glochidia are larval mussels that attach to the gill filaments of the fish for several months. During this period, the fish carry the mussels upstream, and likely use fishways to transport mussels upstream over barriers such as the Mannheim weir.
