Richard J. Neves

Professor of Fisheries and Wildlife Science

Expertise: Freshwater Mussels

 

Phone: 540-231-5927 FAX: 540-231-7580 e-mail:

Research Interests
Biology and conservation of freshwater mussels; endangered aquatic species; restoration and recovery of aquatic ecosystems; propagation of endangered mollusks.

Personal Information
Dr. Richard J. Neves is a Professor of Fisheries in the Fisheries and Wildlife Department at Virginia Tech, and Unit Leader of the Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (VA-CFWRU), USGS-BRD. Dr. Neves received his B.S. in Zoology from the University of Rhode Island in 1968. He was awarded an M.S. in Zoology from the University of Maine in 1973, and A PhD in Fisheries from the University of Massachusetts in 1977. Dr. Neves began his professional experience as a visiting assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts. He then spent 5 years as an Assistant Professor and Assistant Unit leader of the VA-CFWRU at Virginia Tech. Dr. Neves continued at Virginia Tech, going on to become Unit Leader and Professor of Fisheries at Virginia Tech.

Dr. Neves is An Associate Editor for Conservation Biology, and is on the Editorial Review Board for the American Malacological Society and reviewer for 16 other journals. He serves as President of the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society in 2002-2003, and holds memberships in numerous professional societies. He co-authored the National Strategy for the Conservation of Native Freshwater Mussels and has edited two books on freshwater mussels. Dr. Neves' expertise with freshwater mollusks has been solicited for assignments by various federal agencies in addition to the routine research he and his graduate students provide to USGS.

Current Projects
Design and Construction of a Freshwater Mollusk Propagation Building
A grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and six matching grants from other agencies were used to construct a mollusk facility for the propagation of endangered mussels. The building was designed to allow growth of algae for mollusk diets, and is bordered by a small pond to allow algae to be pumped into the building to feed juvenile mussels in the various tank systems.

Restoration of Endangered Mussels into the Upper Tennessee River System
For the last 5 years, this project has produced, cultured, and released more than 330,000 endangered juvenile mussels of 9 species into tributaries of the Tennessee River in Virginia and Tennessee. Most of the mussels were stocked at sites within the historic ranges of these species, so that the range of extant populations can be expanded.

Modification of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems for Mussels
The recirculating culture systems that have been designed for fish have great potential for the intensive culture of freshwater mussels. Commercial scale systems have been modified in smaller troughs to provide a continuous supply of algae for filter-feeding mussels and to minimize water quality degradation. Temperature control units provide an array of conditions for experiments with diet testing and metabolic rates during feeding trials.

A Holistic Approach to Species Taxonomy
Several species of endangered mussels have recently been claimed to be one species, based solely on molecular genetic analysis. However, numerous reproductive and conchological traits differ among these putative taxa. This project is making use of DNA sequencing and a suite of other diagnostic characters to provide an adequate evaluation of closely related taxa and the validity of molecular genetics alone to determine taxonomic identification of species.

Recent Publications

2002 Cherry, D.S., J.H. van Hassell, J.L. Farris, D.J. Soucek, and R.J. Neves. . Site- specific derivation of the acute copper criteria for the Clinch River, Virginia.. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment 8(3):591-601.

2002 Ensign, W.E., A.J. Temple, and R.J. Neves. Effects of fright bias on sampling efficiency of stream fish assemblages. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 17(1):127- 139.

2002 Henley, W.F., J.W. Jones, J.L. Boyles, J.M. McLeod, and R.J. Neves. An evaluation of the suitability of the Cedar Bluff spill site for recovery of freshwater mussels, Clinch River, Tazewell County, Virginia. Final Report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Gloucester, VA. 22 pp.

2001 Chen, L-Y, A.G. Heath, and R.J. Neves. An evaluation of air and water transport of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae). American Malacological Bulletin 16 (1/2): 147-154. (2001/01/11)

2001 Chen, L-Y, A.G. Heath, and R.J. Neves. Comparison of oxygen consumption in freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) from different habitats during declining dissolved oxygen concentration. Hydrobiologia 450:209-214. (2001/03/07).

2001 Henley, W.F. and R.J. Neves. Behavioral responses of glochidia of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) to chemical cues of fish. American Malacological Bulletin 16 (1/2): 131-135.

2001 Jones, J.W. and R.J. Neves. Life history and propagation of the endangered fanshell pearlymussel, Cyprogenia stegaria Rafinesque (Bivalvia: Unionidae). Journal of the North American Benthological Society 21(1):76-88.

2001 Jones, J.W., R.J. Neves, M.A. Patterson, C.R. Good, and A. DiVittorio. A status survey of freshwater mussel populations in the upper Clinch River, Tazewell County, Virginia. Banisteria 17: 20-30.

2001 Neves, R.J. and S.A. Ahlstedt. The status of species and recovery programs for endangered freshwater mussels in the Southern Appalachians. In: D.B. Adams et al., U.S. Geological Survey Appalachian Region Integrated Science Workshop Proceedings, Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Pp. 67-72.

2001 Rogers, S.O., B.T. Watson, and R.J. Neves. Life history and population biology of the endangered tan riffleshell (Epioblasma florentina walkeri) (Bivalvia: Unionidae) Journal of the North American Benthological Society 20(4): 582-594.

2001 Gatenby, C.M. and R.J. Neves. Optimal feeding conditions for maintaining captive unionids. Final Report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cookeville, TN. 16 pp.