This project has been examining the freshwater mussel community of Cassadaga Creek in Chautauqua County NY. Results so far have included evidence of 15 species of mussels in the creek. Among these mussels were the first living specimens of the Rayed Bean (Villosa fabalis), listed as a NYS endangered species, to be found in Cassadaga Creek. In addition, a recently dead specimen of a federally listed species the Clubshell(Pleurobema clava) was collected. This was the first evidence of a recently living Clubshell in NY since 1919. Plans for future work include an extended survey of Cassadaga Creek targeted at identifying areas of high mussel densities. Also, because fishes are essential hosts for the parasitic lifestage of many unionids mussels, we hope to examine the composition of the fish community in creek.
