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Animals can be important in modulating ecosystem-level nutrient cycling, although their importance varies greatly among species and ecosystems. Nutrient cycling rates of individual animals represent valuable data for testing the predictions of important frameworks such as the Metabolic Theory of Ecology (MTE) and ecological stoichiometry (ES). They also represent an important set of functional traits that may reflect both environmental and phylogenetic influences. Over the past two decades, studies of animal-mediated nutrient cycling have increased dramatically, especially in aquatic ecosystems. Here we present a global compilation of aquatic animal nutrient excretion rates. The dataset includes 10,534 observations from freshwater and marine animals of N and/or P excretion rates. These observations represent 491 species, including most aquatic phyla. Coverage varies greatly among phyla and other taxonomic levels. The dataset includes information on animal body size, ambient temperature, taxonomic affiliations, and animal body N:P. This data set was used to test predictions of MTE and ES, as described in Vanni and McIntyre (2016; Ecology DOI: 10.1002/ecy.1582).

Over the last 30 years, relocation of freshwater mussels has been used as a conservation strategy for potential impacts from bridge construction and dredging operations. Improved methods have effectively increased relocated mussel survivorship rates of target species from ~ 50% to ~ 90% under ideal circumstances. Success to date is largely based upon survivorship rates without consideration of relocation activity effects upon fitness and behavioral traits of mussels. In 2003, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) funded research to: 1) determine the success of mussel relocation efforts associated with highway construction projects by investigating survivorship, movements, mortality, fitness (as indicated by condition factor), and fecundity of relocated and non-relocated adults and sub-adults, 2) determine success of mussel propagation efforts by investigating survivorship of juveniles returned to identified habitats and used for population enhancement (recruitment), and 3) determine impacts at highway construction sites by comparing pre- and post-construction mussel assemblage abundance and composition, sediment deposition downstream of the construction, and individual mussel fitness. This project seeks, in part, to use the data acquired in the formulation of a programmatic biological assessment/biological opinion streamlining initiative for P. capax that will be proposed to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service by the ATHD and FHWA. Biochemical composition (i.e. condition factor) and movement (i.e. displacement) were monitored for two species of freshwater mussels subjected to relocation activity, the federally endangered P. capax and a species with a different life history, Quadrula quadrula and compared with control (i.e. non relocated) populations. Trends were identified in condition factor, through repeated measures ANOVA, associated with short (glycogen), moderate (lipid), and long term energy stores

Relocation of freshwater mussel aggregates has been used as a mitigation strategy for nearly 30 years. Methodologies for relocation have been studied showing that identification of appropriate habitat characteristics are among the most important aspects when selecting a viable relocation site. Though relocation methodologies have been studied, little is known about the influence on behavioral patterns following relocation. This project is aimed at addressing information gaps regarding post-relocation monitoring activities which will be incorporated into the biological assessment of a proposed permit streamlining initiative between the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Federal Highway Administration, and Arkansas Transportation and Highway Department. The focus of this initiative is the fat pocketbook, Potamilus capax (Mollusca: Unionidae), which was designated as “Endangered” in June 1976 by the USFWS in the entire range of the species. The present general distribution of P. capax has been reported from the upper Mississippi River on the borders of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, the Ohio River System on the borders of Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky, especially its tributary the Wabash River in Indiana and Illinois, the White River of Missouri and Arkansas, and the St. Francis River system in Arkansas. These systems typify mid-western Mississippi River drainages with areas of slow moving water and substrate ranging from shifting sand and gravel to sand, silt, and clay substrates, suitable habitat for P. capax. This species is further characterized as being a long-term breeder with fertilization occurring in spring and gravid females present from June to October and uses the freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunnies) as its host. Though P. capax was at one time present in many of these systems, historical accounts indicate that it was never a predominate species within the assemblage. Though mussels, in general are considered relatively stationary, many

Over the last 30 years, relocation of freshwater mussels has been used as a conservation strategy for potential impacts from bridge construction and dredging operations. Improved methods have effectively increased relocated mussel survivorship rates of target species from ~ 50% to ~ 90% under ideal circumstances. Success to date is largely based upon survivorship rates without consideration of relocation activity effects upon fitness and behavioral traits of mussels. In 2003, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) funded research to: 1) determine the success of mussel relocation efforts associated with highway construction projects by investigating survivorship, movements, mortality, fitness (as indicated by condition factor), and fecundity of relocated and non-relocated adults and sub-adults, 2) determine success of mussel propagation efforts by investigating survivorship of juveniles returned to identified habitats and used for population enhancement (recruitment), and 3) determine impacts at highway construction sites by comparing pre- and post-construction mussel assemblage abundance and composition, sediment deposition downstream of the construction, and individual mussel fitness. This project seeks, in part, to use the data acquired in the formulation of a programmatic biological assessment/biological opinion streamlining initiative for P. capax that will be proposed to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service by the ATHD and FHWA. Biochemical composition (i.e. condition factor) and movement (i.e. displacement) were monitored for two species of freshwater mussels subjected to relocation activity, the federally endangered P. capax and a species with a different life history, Quadrula quadrula and compared with control (i.e. non relocated) populations. Trends were identified in condition factor, through repeated measures ANOVA, associated with short (glycogen), moderate (lipid), and long term energy stores

Relocation of freshwater mussel aggregates has been used as a mitigation strategy for nearly 30 years. Methodologies for relocation have been studied showing that identification of appropriate habitat characteristics are among the most important aspects when selecting a viable relocation site. Though relocation methodologies have been studied, little is known about the influence on behavioral patterns following relocation. This project is aimed at addressing information gaps regarding post-relocation monitoring activities which will be incorporated into the biological assessment of a proposed permit streamlining initiative between the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Federal Highway Administration, and Arkansas Transportation and Highway Department. The focus of this initiative is the fat pocketbook, Potamilus capax (Mollusca: Unionidae), which was designated as “Endangered” in June 1976 by the USFWS in the entire range of the species. The present general distribution of P. capax has been reported from the upper Mississippi River on the borders of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, the Ohio River System on the borders of Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky, especially its tributary the Wabash River in Indiana and Illinois, the White River of Missouri and Arkansas, and the St. Francis River system in Arkansas. These systems typify mid-western Mississippi River drainages with areas of slow moving water and substrate ranging from shifting sand and gravel to sand, silt, and clay substrates, suitable habitat for P. capax. This species is further characterized as being a long-term breeder with fertilization occurring in spring and gravid females present from June to October and uses the freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunnies) as its host. Though P. capax was at one time present in many of these systems, historical accounts indicate that it was never a predominate species within the assemblage. Though mussels, in general are considered relatively stationary, many

The fat pocketbook, Potamilus capax (Mollusca: Unionidae), was designated as “Endangered” in June 1976 by the USFWS in the entire range of the species. The present general distribution of P. capax has been reported from the upper Mississippi River on the boarders of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, the Ohio River System on the borders of Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky, especially its tributary the Wabash River in Indiana and Illinois, the White River of Missouri and Arkansas, and the St. Francis River system in Arkansas. Relocation of freshwater mussels prior to large-scale bridge construction, repair, or replacement has been broadly utilized for conventional management of construction impact. The success of that practice related to long-term viability of relocated specimens, however, has not been fully validated. This research was jointly funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) in 2003 as an Environmental Streamlining Initiative to provide more information regarding the likelihood of specific impacts to mussels attributed to sediment plumes downstream of highway construction activities. The research proposes to support a programmatic Biological Opinion for P. capax, which will provide a protocol for highway projects that may impact the species. Relocation can then be assessed for its ability to minimize loss of endangered freshwater mussel species, and in particular, P. capax. The objectives of this project are: 1) to determine the success of relocation efforts for P. capax associated with highway construction projects by investigating survival, movements, mortality, fitness (as indicated by condition factor), and fecundity of relocated and non-relocated adults and sub-adults, 2) to determine the success of propagation efforts resulting from highway construction projects by investigating the survival of juveniles returned to identified habitats and used for populatio

The fat pocketbook, Potamilus capax (Mollusca: Unionidae), was designated as “Endangered” in June 1976 by the USFWS in the entire range of the species. The present general distribution of P. capax has been reported from the upper Mississippi River on the boarders of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, the Ohio River System on the borders of Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky, especially its tributary the Wabash River in Indiana and Illinois, the White River of Missouri and Arkansas, and the St. Francis River system in Arkansas. Relocation of freshwater mussels prior to large-scale bridge construction, repair, or replacement has been broadly utilized for conventional management of construction impact. The success of that practice related to long-term viability of relocated specimens, however, has not been fully validated. This research was jointly funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) in 2003 as an Environmental Streamlining Initiative to provide more information regarding the likelihood of specific impacts to mussels attributed to sediment plumes downstream of highway construction activities. The research proposes to support a programmatic Biological Opinion for P. capax, which will provide a protocol for highway projects that may impact the species. Relocation can then be assessed for its ability to minimize loss of endangered freshwater mussel species, and in particular, P. capax. The objectives of this project are: 1) to determine the success of relocation efforts for P. capax associated with highway construction projects by investigating survival, movements, mortality, fitness (as indicated by condition factor), and fecundity of relocated and non-relocated adults and sub-adults, 2) to determine the success of propagation efforts resulting from highway construction projects by investigating the survival of juveniles returned to identified habitats and used for populatio