The activity is part of an ongoing effort at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Dallas to address declining freshwater mussel populations across the state – a trend that could signal declining health in Texas’ river systems, Morton said.
Morton’s work studying trends that lead to widespread mussel decline is housed at AgriLife’s Dallas Center but implemented by her employer, the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, which falls under Texas A&M AgriLife Research.
Fish and Wildlife Service’s 12-week Directorate Resource Fellowship Program at the organization’s San Marcos Aquatic Resources Center.
There she will begin new research into declines of the Texas hornshell mussel, which in late 2016 became the first state species proposed for listing as nationally endangered.
Morton’s research with the fellowship program involves observing physiological tolerances and reactions of mussels to "dewatering" – an increasingly critical area in the face of climate change, drought and rising water demands, she said.
"How long will they survive out of water and what is their behavior when stranded?"
Morton now looks toward the next 12 weeks and her return to Dallas, where she will continue her work with a range of freshwater mussel species, whose proliferation she called critical to the health of freshwater systems across the state and country.
She said her work with the Texas hornshell back in San Marcos will be valuable to her research in North Texas.
"What we learn about Texas hornshell will be useful for other species across Texas," she said.
"These are risks that apply to really any species across the state, and this work will paint a clearer picture of what’s happening with mussels in Texas.