An Assessment of Suitable Feed Quantity and Quality for Riffleshell Mussels (Epioblasma spp.) Held in Captivity

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dc.contributor.authorBush, Amy L.en
dc.contributor.committeechairNeves, Richard J.en
dc.contributor.committeememberCraig, Steven R.en
dc.contributor.committeememberGatenby, Catherine M.en
dc.contributor.committeememberKreeger, Danielle A.en
dc.contributor.departmentFisheries and Wildlife Sciencesen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T20:32:24Zen
dc.date.adate2008-03-31en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T20:32:24Zen
dc.date.issued2008-01-30en
dc.date.rdate2010-12-22en
dc.date.sdate2008-03-07en
dc.description.abstractOptimum feed ration was determined for riffleshell mussels (Epioblasma spp.) held in captivity. Mussels were fed one of four rations (0.49, 0.72, 1.28, or 1.73 mg dry wt/l) of algae Neochloris oleoabundans for 2-h trials in spring, summer, fall, and winter. The test ration resulting in the most feed absorbed per hour (net absorption rate, mg/h) was determined to be the optimum feed ration. Mussels absorbed the greatest amount of food when fed the highest ration. Suggested feed rations for captive adult Epioblasma species are 1.73 mg/l when held at moderate temperatures (i.e., 15-19C), and 1.28 mg/l when held at cool temperatures (i.e., near 11C). Seasonal utilization of protein by oyster mussel (E. capsaeformis) and rainbow mussel (V. iris) was examined with O:N ratios. Ratios were determined for mussels fed a low or high-protein diet (0.11, or 0.31 mg protein/mg dry algal feed), and for mussels held in a hatchery or in the Clinch River, in spring, summer, and winter. Significant differences in O:N ratios were not observed between mussels fed a low or high-protein diet (p > 0.05). The O:N ratios were significantly highest in spring and summer, and lowest in winter (p < 0.05). Mussels primarily utilized protein in spring and summer, and conserved protein in winter. A diet high in energy was suggested in spring and summer, and a diet high in protein was suggested in winter.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.identifier.otheretd-03072008-143747en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-03072008-143747/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/31427en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartBush_A_thesis.pdfen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectfiltration rateen
dc.subjectproteinen
dc.subjectO:Nen
dc.subjectabsorption efficiencyen
dc.titleAn Assessment of Suitable Feed Quantity and Quality for Riffleshell Mussels (Epioblasma spp.) Held in Captivityen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineFisheries and Wildlife Sciencesen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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