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UT-CO Freshwater Mollusks Survey

Citation

Walton J (2023). UT-CO Freshwater Mollusks Survey. United States Geological Survey. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/qry4ue accessed via GBIF.org on 2025-06-14.

Description

A study commissioned by the Utah Division of Water Quality and the Colorado Water Quality Control Division. Study was carried out by Utah State University. The overarching goal of the study was to conduct a comprehensive search and synthesis of existing records on the historical and current presence of ammonia-sensitive freshwater mussels (Superfamily Unionoidea) and non-pulmonate snails (Valvatidae, Hydrobiidae) in Utah and Colorado. In addition to these targeted species, other species belonging to Class Bivalvia and freshwater Gastropoda were also included. Though they were not actively sought during record searches, occurrence of non-native species such as the New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum), Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea), quagga mussel (Dreissena burgensis) and the Chinese mystery snail (Cipangopaluding chinensis) were also noted. Records in this dataset are the result of such efforts as found in previously-compiled databases found online (such as BISON), museums, peer and non-peer reviewed literature and reports, and direct personal contacts.

Sampling Description

Study Extent

Freshwater habitats in the States of Utah and Colorado in the United States of America (USA).

Sampling

Assembly of information from literature and databases required use of an array of resources. We first searched large previously-compiled databases available online such as USGS BISON and GBIF (See Table 1 for a complete list). These databases were used to identify primary sources (defined as where the data were originally published), including museums, peer and non-peer reviewed literature and reports, and direct contacts. Once primary sources were identified, museums and online databases were searched for online records of target species. The purpose of searching these online resources first was to identify the bulk of available records in Utah and Colorado that would likely also be found during literature searches, thus minimizing time spent entering data. By initially collecting records from museums, online databases, and direct contacts, we could obtain the most current records available from institutions and organizations responsible for collection and reporting of specimens.

Quality Control

Data were recorded verbatim from the primary source. We occasionally found that initial species identifications had been challenged or later changed, and we made corresponding changes to our reported data. Other than correcting for published synonymies, we could not independently determine the accuracy of species identifications. While the data presented in this report is as accurate as the scope and intention of this project allows, there is a degree of taxonomic uncertainty, as is present with any taxonomy. As such, records should be thoroughly vetted and specimen of interest may require re-examination by species experts.

Method steps

  1. See Sampling Description.

Additional info

For 292 records in this dataset, county FIPS codes were derived during data cleaning and appear in the higherGeographyID field.

Taxonomic Coverages

All non-pulmonate, freshwater taxa found in Utah and Colorado identified to species when possible. Some nonnative mollusks were also included.
  1. Corbiculidae
    common name: basket clams rank: family
  2. Dreissenidae
    common name: false mussels, platform mussels rank: family
  3. Margaritiferidae
    common name: freshwater pearl mussels rank: family
  4. Sphaeriidae
    common name: pea clams, fingernail clams rank: family
  5. Unionidae
    common name: unionids, river mussels rank: family
  6. Bithyniidae
    common name: mud snails rank: family
  7. Cochlicopidae
    common name: pillar snails rank: family
  8. Hydrobiidae
    common name: mud snails rank: family
  9. Planorbidae
    common name: ramshorn snails, ram's horn snails rank: family
  10. Pleuroceridae
    common name: pleurocerids rank: family
  11. Pomatiopsidae
    common name: pomatiopsidae rank: family
  12. Valvatidae
    common name: valve snails rank: family
  13. Viviparidae
    common name: mystery snails rank: family

Geographic Coverages

The States of Utah and Colorado in the United States of America (USA).

Bibliographic Citations

  1. Utah and Colorado Mollusk and Snail Survey Work Plan Calendar. Calendar Modified May 25, 2016. https://deq.utah.gov/Topics/Water/utah-colorado-water-survey/docs/work-plan-calendar.pdf - https://deq.utah.gov/Topics/Water/utah-colorado-water-survey/docs/work-plan-calendar.pdf

Contacts

James Walton
originator
position: Laboratory Manager, Molecular Ecology Laboratory
Utah State University, Department of Wildland Resources
5230 Old Main Hill
Logan
84322-5230
Utah
US
Telephone: +1(435) 797-7870
email: jim.walton@aggiemail.usu.edu
James Walton
metadata author
position: Laboratory Manager
Utah State University, Department of Wildland Resources, Molecular Ecology Laboratory
5230 Old Main Hill
Logan
84322-5230
Utah
US
Telephone: +1(435) 797-7870
email: jim.walton@aggiemail.usu.edu
See Organisation
point of contact
position: Point of Contact
Utah Division of Water Quality
195 North 1950 West
Salt Lake City
84116
Utah
US
Telephone: +1(801) 536-4300
homepage: https://deq.utah.gov/
See Organisation
point of contact
position: Point of Contact
Colorado Water Quality Control Division
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, WQCD-B2
Denver
80246
Colorado
US
Telephone: +1(303) 782-0390
homepage: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe
Annie Simpson
point of contact
position: biologist and information scientist
U.S. Geological Survey
12201 Sunrise Valley Dr., Mailstop 302
Reston
20192
Virginia
US
Telephone: +1 703-648-4281
email: asimpson@usgs.gov
Karen Mock
administrative point of contact
position: Professor, Wildland Resources Department
Utah State University, Quinney College of Natural Resources, Molecular Ecology Laboratory
5230 Old Main Hill
Logan
84322-5230
Utah
US
Telephone: +1 (435) 797-7870
email: karen.mock@usu.edu
Charles Hawkins
administrative point of contact
position: Professor of Aquatic Ecology; Director, Western Center for Monitoring and Assessment of Freshwater Ecosystems
Utah State University, Department of Watershed Sciences
5210 Old Main Hill
Logan
84322-5210
Utah
US
Telephone: +1(435) 797-2280
email: chuck.hawkins@usu.edu
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