Yellow lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 11
Technical Summary
Lampsilis cariosa
Yellow Lampmussel – lampsile jaune
Range of Occurrence in Canada:
known from only two localities: the Sydney River, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia and the lower Saint John River and tributaries near Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Extent and Area Information
Extent of occurrence (EO) (km²) :
- Sydney River - 20 km²
- calculated from GIS maps using Arc view : Saint John River – approx 245 km²
Specify trend in EO :
- Sydney River – Stable;
- Saint John River – evidence of a reduction in historic range- current trend unknown
Are there extreme fluctuations EO?
Probably not
Area of occupancy (AO) (km²).
- see Population Size and Trends section for calculation methods
- Sydney River – approximately 2.6 km²
- Saint John River - Unknown but considerably less than EO
Specify trend in AO
- Sydney River – unknown
- Saint John River – unknown
Are there extreme fluctuations AO?
Unknown for both populations
Number of known or inferred current locations :
2, consisting of the Sydney River (including 2 small lakes) and about 30 sites on the Saint John River
Specify trend in # :
Evidence of historic decline on the Saint John River, current status unknown
Are there extreme fluctuations in number of locations?
Probably not
Specify trend in area, extent or quality of habitat :
Stable in Sydney and Saint John River
Population Information
Generation time (average age of parents in the population) :
Unknown
Number of mature individuals :
Unknown
Total population trend:
Unknown
% decline last/next 10 years or 3 gen.
Unknown
Are there extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals?
Unknown
Is the total population severely fragmented?
Yes
Specify trend in number of populations:
Stable
Are there extreme fluctuations in number of populations?
Probably not
List populations with number of mature individuals in each:
- Sydney River ~ 0.4 – 0.8 individuals per m²;
- Saint John River ~ 0.4 – 0.8 individuals per m²
Threats (actual or imminent threats to populations or habitats)
Residential alteration of shore in Sydney River
Rescue Effect (immigration from an outside source)
Status of outside population(s)?
USA: Global Heritage Status Rank: G3G4; Rounded Global Heritage Status Rank: G3; Global Heritage Status Rank Reasons: Range and abundance have contracted somewhat. United States National Heritage Status Rank: N3N4. Connecticut (SH), Delaware (SH), District of Columbia (SH), Georgia (S2), Maine (S2S3), Maryland (S1), Massachusetts (SH), New Hampshire (SX), New Jersey (S1), New York (S3), North Carolina (S1), Pennsylvania (S3S4), South Carolina (S?), Vermont (SR), Virginia (S2), West Virginia (S1). International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN): endangered. American Fisheries Society Status: Threatened (NatureServe 2003 – See Appendix 1. For code definitions)
Is immigration known or possible?
- Not possible for Sydney River
- Possible for Saint John River
Would immigrants be adapted to survive in Canada?
Yes
Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants in Canada?
Unknown
Is rescue from outside populations likely?
No
Quantitative Analysis
Other Status
Status and Reasons for Designation
Status: Special Concern
Alpha-numeric code: Not applicable
Populations quite large and apparently stable in Canada but found only in Sydney River, Nova Scotia and Saint John River watershed, New Brunswick. Threats are currently very limited but there are long-term concerns related to the potential for introduction of zebra mussels into the Saint John River, and maintaining habitat quality of the sole population in the Sydney River.
Applicability of Criteria
- Criterion A (Declining Total Population): No data available on population decline rates.
- Criterion B (Small Distribution, and Decline or Fluctuation): Extent of occurrence and area of occupancy both small and meet endangered but “continuing declines” either not present, unknown, or population is stable.
- Criterion C (Small Total Population Size and Decline): Number of mature individuals unknown, but probably much larger than criteria for threatened (e.g. total population estimated at > 1,000,000).
- Criterion D (Very Small Population or Restricted Distribution): Number of mature individuals unknown, but probably much larger than criteria for threatened (e.g. total population estimated at > 1,000,000. If area of occupancy < 20 km² it would qualify for threatened under D2, but AO unknown for St. John River.
- Criterion E (Quantitative Analysis): No data available for quantitative analysis:
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