Send us a text In this episode of Rarefied, host Meredith Meeker dives into the fascinating world of freshwater mussels, focusing on the snuffbox mussel's crucial role in maintaining healthy freshwater ecosystems. Joined by Dr. Catherine Febria and PhD student Lauren Damphousse from the University of Windsor, the discussion covers the unique biology and habitat of the snuffbox, the challenges they face due to environmental changes, and ongoing conservation efforts. Key highlights include the mussels' intricate reproductive strategies, their status as canaries in the coal mine for water quality, and the importance of community and conservation efforts to ensure their survival. https://www.facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2022-0207  Bkejwanong Eco-Keepers love mussels, too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvNSe6gCbDI&t=2sSnuffbox traps a logperch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1YcaIN8cRs      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0YTBj0WHkU00:00 Introduction to Rarefied Podcast 00:41 Meet the Snuffbox Mussel 01:27 Guest Introductions 03:38 Understanding Freshwater Mussels 06:13 Habitat and Behavior of Mussels 09:21 Reproductive Strategies of Mussels 14:58 Threats to Freshwater Mussels 19:14 Conservation Efforts and Community Involvement 25:15 Field Work and Research Techniques 30:41 Understanding Mussel Translocation Challenges 31:57 Freshwater Restoration and the Endangered Species Act 32:43 Assessing the Mackey Protocol and Translocation Data 33:19 The Importance of Site-Specific Conditions 37:08 Community Involvement in Conservation Efforts 39:32 Citizen Science and the Clam Counter App 41:38 Field Stories and Team Building 43:27 Rapid Fire Questions and Fun Facts 51:22 Hope and Future Directions in Conservation 54:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 

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