Sampling mass mortality events to enable diagnoses: A protocol using freshwater mussels
Abstract Many taxa around the globe are threatened by often unexplained mass mortality events (MMEs), which can decimate populations and compromise key ecosystem functions. One example of a highly threatened taxon facing frequent MMEs is freshwater mussels (Unionida). There has been a recent increas...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Methods in Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.14480 |
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| author | Daniel A. Cossey Michelle M. Dennis Jordan Richard Camilla Della Torre Andrew McElwain Diane L. Waller Susan Knowles Joshua I. Brian Eric Leis Erika A. V. Burioli David C. Aldridge |
| author_facet | Daniel A. Cossey Michelle M. Dennis Jordan Richard Camilla Della Torre Andrew McElwain Diane L. Waller Susan Knowles Joshua I. Brian Eric Leis Erika A. V. Burioli David C. Aldridge |
| author_sort | Daniel A. Cossey |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Many taxa around the globe are threatened by often unexplained mass mortality events (MMEs), which can decimate populations and compromise key ecosystem functions. One example of a highly threatened taxon facing frequent MMEs is freshwater mussels (Unionida). There has been a recent increase in interest in understanding the causes of freshwater mussel MMEs, but standardised methodologies for how best to respond to them to facilitate diagnoses are unavailable. When an MME is observed, swift and appropriate sample collection is imperative owing to the transient nature of these phenomena. Here we provide structured guidance that will facilitate rapid and appropriate sampling of MMEs, using freshwater mussels as an example. We set out standardised procedures for sample collection, preparation and preservation. The procedures we outline will improve our capacity for diagnostic investigations of MMEs and other mortality events, not only in freshwater mussels but also across many other taxa. This, in turn, can inform appropriate management responses. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2a9755e3a50f45569e378280f907b2d0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2041-210X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Methods in Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj-art-2a9755e3a50f45569e378280f907b2d02025-02-05T05:43:20ZengWileyMethods in Ecology and Evolution2041-210X2025-02-0116225026810.1111/2041-210X.14480Sampling mass mortality events to enable diagnoses: A protocol using freshwater musselsDaniel A. Cossey0Michelle M. Dennis1Jordan Richard2Camilla Della Torre3Andrew McElwain4Diane L. Waller5Susan Knowles6Joshua I. Brian7Eric Leis8Erika A. V. Burioli9David C. Aldridge10Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Cambridge UKDepartment of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee Knoxville Tennessee USAU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southwestern Virginia Field Office Madison Wisconsin USADepartment of Biosciences Università degli Studi di Milano Milan ItalyDepartment of Biological Sciences State University of New York at Oswego Oswego New York USAUS Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center La Crosse Wisconsin USANational Wildlife Health Center, U.S. Geological Survey Madison Wisconsin USADepartment of Geography, Bush House NE King's College London London UKU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, La Crosse Fish Health Center Onalaska Wisconsin USAIHPE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, Univ Perpignan Via Domitia Montpellier FranceDepartment of Zoology University of Cambridge Cambridge UKAbstract Many taxa around the globe are threatened by often unexplained mass mortality events (MMEs), which can decimate populations and compromise key ecosystem functions. One example of a highly threatened taxon facing frequent MMEs is freshwater mussels (Unionida). There has been a recent increase in interest in understanding the causes of freshwater mussel MMEs, but standardised methodologies for how best to respond to them to facilitate diagnoses are unavailable. When an MME is observed, swift and appropriate sample collection is imperative owing to the transient nature of these phenomena. Here we provide structured guidance that will facilitate rapid and appropriate sampling of MMEs, using freshwater mussels as an example. We set out standardised procedures for sample collection, preparation and preservation. The procedures we outline will improve our capacity for diagnostic investigations of MMEs and other mortality events, not only in freshwater mussels but also across many other taxa. This, in turn, can inform appropriate management responses.https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.14480die‐offdiseasesfreshwater musselhistologymortality eventprotocol |
| spellingShingle | Daniel A. Cossey Michelle M. Dennis Jordan Richard Camilla Della Torre Andrew McElwain Diane L. Waller Susan Knowles Joshua I. Brian Eric Leis Erika A. V. Burioli David C. Aldridge Sampling mass mortality events to enable diagnoses: A protocol using freshwater mussels Methods in Ecology and Evolution die‐off diseases freshwater mussel histology mortality event protocol |
| title | Sampling mass mortality events to enable diagnoses: A protocol using freshwater mussels |
| title_full | Sampling mass mortality events to enable diagnoses: A protocol using freshwater mussels |
| title_fullStr | Sampling mass mortality events to enable diagnoses: A protocol using freshwater mussels |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sampling mass mortality events to enable diagnoses: A protocol using freshwater mussels |
| title_short | Sampling mass mortality events to enable diagnoses: A protocol using freshwater mussels |
| title_sort | sampling mass mortality events to enable diagnoses a protocol using freshwater mussels |
| topic | die‐off diseases freshwater mussel histology mortality event protocol |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.14480 |
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