Status and ecology of a glacial relict mollusk, the Rocky Mountain capshell limpet (Acroloxus coloradensis), in relation to the limnology of Lost Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana (USA)
Ellis BK, Marnell L, Anderson M, Stanford JA, Albrecht C, Wilke T. 2004. Status and ecology of a glacial relict mollusk, the Rocky Mountain capshell limpet (Acroloxus coloradensis), in relation to the limnology of Lost Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana (USA). Flathead Lake Biological Station Report. Report 186-05. Flathead Lake Biological Station. Polson, MT
The Rocky Mountain capshell limpet, Acroloxus coloradensis, was discovered in Lost Lake, a small subalpine pond on the east side of the Continental Divide, in GLAC during the mid-1960s. The reported distribution of A. coloradensis is highly disjunct and limited to 17 localities, all in North America. The status of A. coloradensis in Lost Lake has not been examined since the species was discovered some 40 years ago, and collection records in Lost Lake and elsewhere included few ecology notes or habitat descriptions. Thus, during 2001-2, we quantified the distribution and abundance of capshells in Lost Lake and in relation to a detailed limnological analysis of the lake. We concluded that Rocky Mountain capshell limpets remain fairly abundant in Lost Lake. No genetic variation was demonstrated among Rocky Mountain populations selected for analysis. They do not appear to be very sensitive to fish predation. Nonetheless, protection of this important population should include returning Lost Lake to its historical fishless condition by intensive gill netting of nonnative trout and carefully managing or eliminating wading and swimming by recreationists.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Ellis, Bonnie; Marnell, Leo; Anderson, Michelle; Stanford, Jack; Albrecht, Christian; Wilke, Thomas
- Date of Issue
- 2004-12-31
- Publisher
- Flathead Lake Biological Station
- Units
- GLAC
- Keywords
- Acroloxus coloradensis, Endangered, Fossil, Limnology, Limpets, Lost Lake