Identification of larvae: the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), quagga mussel (Dreissena rosteriformis bugensis), and Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea)

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 406-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Nichols ◽  
M. G. Black
Keyword(s):  
Shell Length ◽  
Zebra Mussel ◽  
Dreissena Polymorpha ◽  
Corbicula Fluminea ◽  
The United States ◽  
Zebra Mussels ◽  
Shell Size ◽  
Asian Clam ◽  
Clam Corbicula ◽  
Asian Clams

There are presently four freshwater bivalves in the United States that produce larvae or veligers commonly found in the water column: two forms of Asian clams and two species of dreissenids. Portions of the geographic range of three of these bivalves, one species of Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea), zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), and quagga mussels (Dreissena rosteriformis bugensis), overlap, causing problems with larval identification. To determine which characteristics can be used to separate larval forms, adult Asian clams, quaggas, and zebra mussels were brought into the laboratory and induced to spawn, and the resulting larvae were reared. Hybrids between quaggas and zebra mussels were also produced, but not reared to maturity. Characteristics allowing for the most rapid and accurate separation of larvae were hinge length, shell length/height, shell shape, shell size, and the presence or absence of a foot and velum. These characteristics were observed in laboratory-reared larvae of known parentage and field-caught larvae of unknown parentage. In most cases, larvae of the Asian clam can be readily separated from those produced by either type of dreissenid on the basis of shell size and presence of a foot. Separating the gametes and embryos of the two types of dreissenids is not possible, but after shell formation, most of the larval stages can be distinguished. Hinge length, shell length/height, and the similarity in size of the shell valves can be used to separate straight-hinged, umbonal, pediveliger, and plantigrade larvae. Quagga × zebra mussel hybrids show characteristics of both parents and are difficult to identify.

Toxicity of a Traditional Molluscicide to Asian Clam Veligers

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Layhee ◽  
Miho Yoshioka ◽  
Bahram Farokhkish ◽  
Jackson A. Gross ◽  
Adam J. Sepulveda
Keyword(s):  
Zebra Mussel ◽  
Dreissena Polymorpha ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Exposure Period ◽  
Aquatic Invasive Species ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Water Type ◽  
Asian Clam ◽  
Clam Corbicula ◽  
Aquaculture Facilities

Abstract Aquaculture and hatchery industries are in need of effective control methods to reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species, such as the Asian clam Corbicula fluminea, through aquaculture and hatchery activities. The planktonic nature of Asian clam veligers enables this life stage to enter water-based infrastructure undetected, including hatchery trucks used to stock fish. Once in hatchery trucks, veligers can disperse overland and establish in previously uninvaded habitats. As a result, there is a need to develop techniques that result in veliger mortality but do not harm fish. In September 2012, we conducted laboratory trials to determine if a molluscicide (750 mg/L potassium chloride and 25 mg/L formalin) commonly used to kill zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) veligers in hatchery trucks can also effectively kill Asian clam veligers. We exposed Asian clam veligers to this molluscicide for 1, 3, and 5 h in each of two water types: deionized water and filtered lake water. We found <20% mortality at the 1-h exposure period and 100% mortality at both the 3-h and 5-h exposure periods, regardless of water type. This laboratory study represents an important step toward reducing the spread of Asian clams by aquaculture facilities.

Adaptive variation in palp and gill size of the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea)

1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 1130-1134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry S. Payne ◽  
Andrew C. Miller ◽  
Erica D. Hubertz ◽  
Jin Lei
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Zebra Mussel ◽  
Dreissena Polymorpha ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Suspended Solids ◽  
Corbicula Fluminea ◽  
Solids Concentration ◽  
Gill Area ◽  
Clam Corbicula ◽  
History Of

Significant interpopulation differences occur in palp to gill area ratios of two nonindigenous species of freshwater bivalves in North America, Dreissena polymorpha and Corbicula fluminea. Larger palps (both species) and smaller gills (C. fluminea) occur in individuals from habitats characterized by a relatively high suspended solids concentration. The extremely brief evolutionary history of both species in North America is strong evidence that these differences in palp to gill area ratios are ecophenotypic.

Effects of temperature and chronic hypoxia on survivorship of the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea)

1998 ◽  
Vol 55 (7) ◽  
pp. 1564-1572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul D Johnson ◽  
Robert F McMahon
Keyword(s):  
Zebra Mussel ◽  
Dreissena Polymorpha ◽  
Chronic Hypoxia ◽  
Corbicula Fluminea ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Hypoxia Tolerance ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Clam Corbicula ◽  
Effects Of Temperature ◽  
Four Levels

We examined the effects of four levels of chronic hypoxic stress at three temperatures on the survivorship of Dreissena polymorpha and Corbicula fluminea to assess the efficacy of O2 deprivation as a macrofouling control treatment and examine if critical hypoxia limits support reported distribution patterns. At 25°C, the hypoxia tolerance was examined at Po2 = 7.9, 11.9, 15.9, 23.8, and 31.8 Torr (1 Torr = 133.322 Pa) or 5, 7.5, 10, 15, and 20% of full air O2 saturation (Po2 = 159 Torr). At 15°C, the hypoxia tolerance to 7.9, 11.9, and 15.9 Torr was tested and at 7.9 Torr for 5°C treatments. For both species, Po2 and temperature influenced survivorship dramatically with increasing survivorship at higher Po2 and decreasing temperatures. At 25°C, C. fluminea experienced mortality at 7.9, 11.9, and 15.9 Torr, with LT50 values of 144, 216, and 216 h, respectively, versus 288, 384, and 480 h for the 15°C exposures. Dreissena polymorpha treatments had LT50 values of 120, 216, and 216 h at 25°C for the 7.9-, 11.9-, and 15.9-Torr treatments versus 26% mortality after 600 h and 28% mortality after 720 h at 15°C. The 7.9-Torr treatments at 5°C had LT50 values of 480 h for C. fluminea and 1056 h for D. polymorpha. This study showed that both species displayed broad seasonal variation in hypoxia tolerance and that hypoxia limits may be used to assess infestation risk.

Pumping Rates and Projected Filtering Impacts of Juvenile Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in Western Lake Erie

1993 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 1017-1022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Bunt ◽  
Hugh J. Maclsaac ◽  
W. Gary Sprules
Keyword(s):  
Shell Length ◽  
Zebra Mussel ◽  
Dreissena Polymorpha ◽  
Lake Erie ◽  
Zebra Mussels ◽  
Pumping Rate ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Western Lake ◽  
Pumping Rates ◽  
Western Lake Erie

Small-bodied (2–11 mm), settled zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha Pallas) comprise up to 90% of individuals inhabiting reefs in western Lake Erie. We assessed pumping rates of these size classes of D. polymorpha by injecting an inert dye into inhalant filtering currents and monitoring exhalant flows using high-resolution videography. Pumping rates ranged between 0.20 and 4.45 mL∙ind−1∙h−1 and increased in relation to mussel shell length. Based on 1990 size–frequency distributions for reefs in western Lake Erie and our pumping rate – shell length regression, small settled D. polymorpha were theoretically capable of pumping between 39 and 96% of the water column daily. Small-bodied mussels inhabiting Sunken Chicken Reef were collectively capable of processing between 110 and 400% of the values previously reported for Daphnia. Recent changes in water quality in western Lake Erie could be primarily related to zebra mussel filtering activities, including those of small-bodied individuals.

scholarly journals Steam and Flame Applications as Novel Methods of Population Control for Invasive Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea) and Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 654-663
Author(s):  
Neil E. Coughlan ◽  
Eoghan M. Cunningham ◽  
Stephen Potts ◽  
Diarmuid McSweeney ◽  
Emma Healey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Shock ◽  
Zebra Mussel ◽  
Dreissena Polymorpha ◽  
Population Control ◽  
Corbicula Fluminea ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Open Flame ◽  
Asian Clam ◽  
Long Term Treatment

Abstract Control strategies for established populations of invasive alien species can be costly and complex endeavours, which are frequently unsuccessful. Therefore, rapid-reaction techniques that are capable of maximising efficacy whilst minimising environmental damage are urgently required. The Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea Müller, 1774), and the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha Pallas, 1771), are invaders capable of adversely affecting the functioning and biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems. Despite efforts to implement substantial population-control measures, both species continue to spread and persist within freshwater environments. As bivalve beds often become exposed during low-water conditions, this study examined the efficacy of steam-spray (≥100 °C, 350 kPa) and open-flame burn treatments (~1000 °C) to kill exposed individuals. Direct steam exposure lasting for 5 min caused 100% mortality of C. fluminea buried at a depth of 3 cm. Further, combined rake and thermal shock treatments, whereby the substrate is disturbed between each application of either a steam or open flame, caused 100% mortality of C. fluminea specimens residing within a 4-cm deep substrate patch, following three consecutive treatment applications. However, deeper 8-cm patches and water-saturated substrate reduced maximum bivalve species mortality rates to 77% and 70%, respectively. Finally, 100% of D. polymorpha specimens were killed following exposure to steam and open-flame treatments lasting for 30 s and 5 s, respectively. Overall, our results confirm the efficacy of thermal shock treatments as a potential tool for substantial control of low-water-exposed bivalves. Although promising, our results require validation through upscaling to field application, with consideration of other substrate types, increased substrate depth, greater bivalve densities, non-target and long-term treatment effects.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document