Shells of Unio tumidus (Bivalvia: Unionidae) from an archaeological site and contemporary population inhabiting the same lake

• Autorzy: Ozgo M. , Bogucki Z. , Nowakowska M.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Mollusc shells from archaeological excavations are often well preserved and allow for species identification and measurements. Large shell assemblages can provide information for environmental reconstruction and investigation of anthropogenic impacts. In this study we compare freshwater mussel shells from a shell midden excavated on a lake island in northern Poland, dated 2,700–2,600 BP, with contemporary populations from that lake. No changes in species composition occurred, with only Unio tumidus and Anodonta sp. present in the prehistoric sample, and Unio tumidus and Anodonta anatina in the contemporary one. In both the archaeological and contemporary samples, shells of Unio tumidus were relatively small (mean shell length 49.3 } 5.2 mm, max 64 mm, and 46.0 } 5.9 mm, max 61 mm, respectively). However, the values of all measured characteristics (length, height, mass, and thickness) were significantly lower in the contemporary compared to prehistoric shells. In modern times, in the region of the study largescale forest clearing and conversion of land into agricultural areas occurred; presently areas of intensive agriculture directly adjoin the lake. Dwarfing of the shells likely results from anthropogenic deterioration of mussel habitat.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

shell; Unio tumidus; Bivalvia; Unionidae; archaeological site; contemporary population; anthropogenic impact; archaeozoology; freshwater mussel; morphometry; shell size

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Polish Journal of Ecology
• Rocznik: 2012
• Tom: 60
• Numer: 4
• Opis fizyczny: p.839-844,fig.,ref.

Twórcy

autor

Ozgo M.

• Institute of Biology and Environmental Protection, Pomeranian University, Arciszewskiego 22B, 76–200 Slupsk, Poland

autor

Bogucki Z.

autor

Nowakowska M.

Bibliografia

• Aldrige D.W., Payne B.S., Miller A.C. 1987 – The effects of intermittent exposure to suspended solids and turbulence on three species of freshwater mussels – Envir. Poll. 45: 17–28.
• Bauer G. 1992 – Variation in the life span and size of the freshwater pearl mussel – J. Anim. Ecol. 61: 425–436.
• Claassen C. 1998 – Shells – University Press, Cambridge, UK: 259 pp.
• Hughes M.H., Parmalee P.W. 1999 – Prehistoric and modern freshwater mussel (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionoidea) faunas of the Tennessee River: Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee – Regulated Rivers: Research & Management, 15: 25–42.
• Jerardino A. 1997 – Changes in shellfish species composition and mean shell size from a late-Holocene record of the West Coast of Southern Africa – J. Archaeo. Soc. 24: 1031–1044.
• Kesler D.H., Newton T.J., Green L. 2007 – Long-term monitoring of growth in the Eastern Elliptio, Elliptio complanata (Bivalvia: Unionidae), in Rhode Island: a transplant experiment – J. N. Am. Benthol. Soc. 26: 123–133.
• Lewandowski K. 1990 – Unionidae of Szeszupa River and of the lakes along its course in Suwalski Landscape Park – Ekol. Pol. 38: 271–286.
• Lewandowski K. 1991 – Long-term changes in the fauna of family Unionidae Bivalves in the Mikołajskie Lake – Ekol. Pol. 39: 265–272.
• Matteson M.R. 1960 – Reconstruction of prehistoric environments through the analysis of molluscan collections from shell middens – Am. Antiq. 26: 117–120.
• Parmalee P.W. 1956 – A comparison of past and present populations of fresh-water mussels in Southern Illinois – Illinois Ac. Sci. Trans. 49: 184–192.
• Parmalee P.W., Klippel W.E., Bogan A.E. 1980 – Notes on the prehistoric and present status of the naiad fauna of the Middle Cumberland River, Smith County, Tennessee – The Nautilus, 94: 93–105.
• Parmalee P.W., Polhemus R.R. 2004 – Prehistoric and pre-impoundment populations of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidaue) in the South Fork Holston River, Tennessee – S.E. Nat. 3: 234–240.
• Peacock E. 1997 – Current and future directions in the analysis of freshwater bivalves inarchaeology (In: Results of recent archaeological investigations in the Greater Mid-South, Ed: C.H. McNutt) – Anthropological Research Center, The University of Memphis, Memphis, pp. 71–93.
• Peacock E. 2000 – Assessing bias in archaeological shell assemblages – J. Field Archaeo. 27: 183–196.
• Peacock E., Haag W.R., Warren Jr. M.L. 2005 – Prehistoric decline in freshwater mussels coincident with the advent of maize agriculture – Cons. Biol. 19: 547–551.
• Peacock E., James T.R. 2002 – A prehistoric Unionid assemblage from the Big Black River drainage in Hinds Country, Mississippi – J. Misissippi Ac. Sci. 47: 119–123.
• Peacock E., Mistak S. 2008 – Freshwater mussel remains from the Bilbo Basin site, Mississippi, U.S.A.: Archaeological considerations and resource management implications – Archaeofauna, 17: 9–20.
• Piechocki 2002 – Populacja Unio crassus Philipsson, 1788 (Bivalvia, Unionidae) z środkowej Brdy [Population of Unio crassus Philipsson, 1788 (Bivalvia, Unionidae) from the middle Brda River] (In: Tucholski Park Krajobrazowy 1985–2000 stan poznania [Tucholski Park Krajobrazowy 1985–2000 the state of knowledge], Eds: M. Ławrynowicz, B. Rozga) – Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łodzkiego: 495–470.
• Piechocki, A., Dyduch-Falniowska A. 1993 – Mięczaki (Mollusca). Małże (Bivalvia) (Molluscs (Mollusca). Bivalves (Bivalvia) – Fauna słodkowodna Polski, PWN, Warszawa, 7 A: 1–202.
• Swadling P. 1976 – Changes induced by human exploitation in prehistoric shellfish populations – Mankind, 10: 156–162.
• Taylor R.W., Spurlock B D. 1982 – The changing Ohio River naiad fauna: a comparison of Indian middens with today – The Nautilus, 96: 49–51.