Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) Populations in the Seneca River, New York: Impact on Oxygen Resources

1994 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 2216-2221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven W. Effler ◽  
Clifford. Siegfried
2000 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 742-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
C M Mayer ◽  
A J VanDeValk ◽  
J L Forney ◽  
L G Rudstam ◽  
E L Mills

We used long-term data on Oneida Lake, New York, to evaluate hypotheses about the effects of introduced zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on yellow perch (Perca flavescens). We detected no change in survival, diet, or numbers of young-of-the-year (YOY) yellow perch. YOY growth increased in association with zebra mussel introduction and was marginally correlated with zooplankton size, which increased after zebra mussel introduction. Low numbers of YOY in recent years did not explain their increased growth rate. The percentage of age 3 and older yellow perch that consumed zooplankton and benthos increased after zebra mussel introduction. Water clarity, which has increased since zebra mussel introduction, was inversely related to the percentage of the adult population with empty stomachs and positively related to the percentage that consumed benthos. The percentage of adult yellow perch that consumed zooplankton was positively related to zooplankton size. Despite the increase in percentage of adults consuming both types of invertebrate prey, we detected no changes in adult growth associated with zebra mussel introduction. This suggests that the principal effects of zebra mussels on yellow perch in Oneida Lake were not via benthic pathways but through modifications of water clarity and zooplankton. Thus far, these effects have not been negative for the yellow perch population.


2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 634-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael E. Spada ◽  
Neil H. Ringler ◽  
Steven W. Effler ◽  
David A. Matthews

1994 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 1024-1036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Mellina ◽  
Joseph B. Rasmussen

Using SCUBA and an in situ method of quantifying substrate characteristics, we describe patterns of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) distribution along the St. Lawrence and Hudson rivers and in Oneida Lake, New York, and develop empirical models for their abundance. Calcium-poor waters originating from rivers draining the Canadian Shield resulted in a complete lack of zebra mussel colonization along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River east of Montreal despite an abundance of suitable substrate. Calcium concentrations of 15 mg/L or less limited the distribution of zebra mussel. The entire south shore from Cornwall, Ontario, to île d'Orléans, Quebec, was colonized by zebra mussel wherever suitable substrate was found. Among the three systems, substrate size explained between 38 and 91% of the variability in density. Other factors such as Secchi depth, calcium concentration in the water, the presence of crayfish, native unionid abundance, and the maximum width of the river at the site increased the amount of explained variance across the different systems. A model based on substrate size also successfully explained patterns of zebra mussel abundance from published sources.


1999 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
pp. 2148-2160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward S Rutherford ◽  
Kenneth A Rose ◽  
Edward L Mills ◽  
John L Forney ◽  
Christine M Mayer ◽  
...  

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) recently invaded North American aquatic ecosystems and are hypothesized to impact lakes by increasing water clarity through filtration and shunting energy from pelagic to benthic pathways (ES effect). We used an individual-based model of Oneida Lake, New York, walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) populations to simulate ES effects on percids by lowering zooplankton density and production rates and increasing benthos rates. We performed 50-year simulations involving both zooplankton and benthos changes together and each change alone. We also performed simulations to determine robustness of model predictions under different assumed levels of zooplankton and benthos, increased forage fish and mayflies, and walleye stocking. Predicted ES effects were elimination of walleye high-recruitment years, resulting in a 30% reduction in adult walleye abundance. Yellow perch adult abundance increased by 6% due to reduced walleye predation. Neither component (zooplankton or benthos) of ES generated the same total response for yellow perch as both components together. Simulated walleye stocking and increased forage fish density had little effect on model predictions. Increased mayfly densities offset predicted ES effects by buffering predation on juvenile percids. Model predictions of ES impacts on percids generally were consistent with observed changes in Oneida Lake since zebra mussel arrived.


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