Long-term monitoring of two endangered freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) reveals how demographic vital rates are influenced by species life history traits.

To meet monitoring and recovery planning needs, demographic vital rates of two endangered freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae)-the Cumberlandian Combshell (Epioblasma brevidens, Lea 1831) and Oyster Mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis, Lea 1834), species endemic to the Tennessee and Cumberland river basins, U.S.A-were estimated and compared using census methodologies.