Empirical data supporting a non-lethal method for characterizing the reproductive status and larval development of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida)

Here we present the data collected during a mark-recapture study on freshwater mussels in Bruce Creek, Walton County, Florida. These data were used to evaluate the non-lethal impacts of a gill sampling protocol to assess gravidity of freshwater mussels. Data were collected every four weeks, or as weather permitted, to be able to monitor the reproductive status of each mussel every month of the year. The dataset includes unique tag numbers to identify specific female mussels captured and recaptured during this study. Genus and species were identified, and the gravidity status was evaluated for each individual mussel.