Occurrence of chironomid larvae (Paratanytarsus sp.) as commensals of dreissenid mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and D. bugensis)

Up to 38% of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and 10% of quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) collected from the upper St. Lawrence River in July 1993 were invaded by larvae of the tanytarsine chironomid Paratanytarsus sp. Third- and fourth-instar larvae were found living in the mantle cavity around the gills, gonads, and siphonal tissues. The larvae were never observed feeding on these tissues, and no tissue damage was detected. Most frequently, a single Paratanytarsus sp. larva occurred in a mussel; otherwise, two to six larvae were found. Invaded mussels were significantly larger than co-occurring non-invaded mussels. No chironomid larvae were found in young-of-the-year dreissenids. This is the first case of a large-scale endosymbiotic association, apparently a form of inquiline commensalism, between chironomid larvae and dreissenid mussels. Paratanytarsus sp. larvae also occurred in unionid bivalves (Elliptio complanata, Lampsilis radiata, Anodonta cataracta), but at relatively lower frequencies.

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The impact of dreissenid mussels on growth of the fragile papershell (Leptodea fragilis), the most abundant unionid species in Lake Erie

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/cjz-2014-0215 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 93 (2) ◽

pp. 143-148 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Robert A. Krebs ◽

Elizabeth M. Barkett ◽

Matthew T. Begley

Keyword(s):

Dreissena Polymorpha ◽

Lake Erie ◽

Freshwater Mussel ◽

Species Competition ◽

Western Basin ◽

Dreissena Bugensis ◽

Byssal Thread ◽

Quagga Mussels ◽

Dreissenid Mussels ◽

The Impact

The arrival of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771)) and subsequently quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis Andrusov, 1897) (Dreissenidae) in the Great Lakes in the 1980s induced many changes, most notably the devastation of native freshwater mussel species. Recently, empty shells of the fragile papershell (Leptodea fragilis (Rafinesque, 1820)) have become common, particularly in the western basin of Lake Erie, suggesting that this fast-growing species may be increasing in numbers in the lake. To examine continued competition with dreissenids, shell age and length of L. fragilis were used to contrast lifespan and growth rate, estimated as the slope of age on shell length, for shells from two beach localities where byssal threads were present on most shells and two sites where dreissenids were rare or absent. Few recent shells from Lake Erie beaches exceeded 5 years of age, and byssal thread counts were more numerous on older shells. Growth and lifespan were estimated to be significantly lower where dreissenid mussels remained numerous than when measured either from historic collections along Lake Erie or from protected populations. Therefore, even for this early-reproducing species, competition from dreissenids may continue to interfere with growth and shorten lifespan, which are effects few other unionid species can likely tolerate sufficiently to sustain population growth.

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Aerial exposure tolerance off zebra and quagga mussels (Bivalvia: Dreissenidae): implications for overland dispersal

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f95-048 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 52 (3) ◽

pp. 470-477 ◽

Cited By ~ 68

Author(s):

Anthony Ricciardi ◽

Robert Serrouya ◽

Frederick G. Whoriskey

Keyword(s):

Zebra Mussel ◽

Dreissena Polymorpha ◽

Depth Distribution ◽

Quagga Mussel ◽

Relative Depth ◽

Aerial Exposure ◽

Dreissena Bugensis ◽

Quagga Mussels ◽

Weight Losses ◽

St Lawrence River

We examined the effects of ambient temperature (10, 20, and 30 °C) and relative humidity (10, 50, and 95% RH) on the aerial exposure tolerance of adult zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussel (D. bugensis) collected from the St. Lawrence River. Survivorship of mussels in air significantly increased with increasing RH, decreasing temperature, and increasing mussel size. At 20 °C and 50% RH (early temperate summer conditions), large (21–28 mm) D. polymorpha survived more than 5 days exposure, whereas small (10–18 mm) D. polymorpha survived 1–3 days. Seventy-three percent of large D. polymorpha and 10% of small D. polymorpha survived 10 days exposure at conditions considered optimal for survivorship (10 °C and 95% RH). Survivorship of D. bugensis was tested at 20 °C and was 15–100% lower than that of D. polymorpha at all RH levels combined with exposures less than 5 days. Dreissena bugensis also suffered significantly higher percent weight losses because of desiccation than D. polymorpha. The differences in the desiccation tolerance of zebra and quagga mussels reflect their relative depth distribution in lakes. Our results suggest that, given temperate summer conditions, adult Dreissena may survive overland transport (e.g., on small trailered boats) to any location within 3–5 days' drive of infested waterbodies.

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Influence of physicochemical factors on the distribution and biomass of invasive mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis) in the St. Lawrence River

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f05-096 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 62 (9) ◽

pp. 1953-1962 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

Lisa A Jones ◽

Anthony Ricciardi

Keyword(s):

Zebra Mussel ◽

Dreissena Polymorpha ◽

Calcium Concentration ◽

Environmental Gradients ◽

Stepwise Multiple Regression ◽

Quagga Mussel ◽

Dreissena Bugensis ◽

Quagga Mussels ◽

Substrate Size ◽

St Lawrence River

Twenty sites along the St. Lawrence River were sampled to determine if the distribution and abundance of invasive mussels (zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis)) are explained by physicochemical variables. Calcium concentration, substrate size, and depth independently explained significant proportions of variation in biomass for both species. Zebra mussel populations occurred at calcium levels as low as 8 mg Ca·L1, but quagga mussels were absent below 12 mg Ca·L1, suggesting that they have higher calcium requirements. Both species increased in biomass with increasing substrate size but displayed contrasting patterns with depth. Using combinations of these environmental variables, we developed stepwise multiple regression models to predict zebra mussel biomass and quagga mussel biomass. The zebra mussel model included calcium concentration, substrate size, and depth (r2 = 0.36, P < 0.0001), while the quagga mussel model included only substrate size and depth (r2 = 0.32, P < 0.0001). These results suggest that dreissenid mussel abundance (and correlated impacts) will vary predictably across environmental gradients, but the same predictive model will not be accurate for both species.

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Effect of velocity on the filter feeding of dreissenid mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis): implications for trophic dynamics

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f99-079 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 56 (9) ◽

pp. 1551-1561 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

Josef Daniel Ackerman

Keyword(s):

Dreissena Polymorpha ◽

Fluid Dynamic ◽

Flow Chamber ◽

Freshwater Ecosystems ◽

Trophic Dynamics ◽

Clearance Rates ◽

Dreissena Bugensis ◽

Dreissenid Mussels ◽

Marine Bivalves ◽

Dynamic Forces

Fluid dynamic forces were found to significantly affect the ability of freshwater dreissenid mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis) to clear plankton. Tests conducted in a flow chamber at <1 cm·s-1 were consistent with published clearance rates from standard tests involving unstirred containers (i.e., 60-70 mL· mussel-1·h-1 for 11-mm-long mussels). Increasing ambient velocity up to ~10 cm·s-1 led to clearance rates at least twice those of standard testing methods. Higher velocities (~20 cm·s-1) were inhibitory and resulted in reduced clearance rates. There were no detectable differences in the clearance rates of D. polymorpha and D. bugensis of equal size tested at ~10 cm·s-1, but large mussels had greater clearance rates than small ones. These results were found to be consistent with observations from marine bivalves and indicate that fluid dynamic issues are of importance in freshwater ecosystems, especially those that are shallow and (or) flowing. The trophic dynamics of these ecosystems will be better understood when the effects of fluid dynamics on the organism's ability to filter feed and the local delivery of seston through turbulent mixing are considered.

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Deepwater population structure and reproductive state of quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) in Lake Erie

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f97-151 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 54 (10) ◽

pp. 2428-2433 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

S L Roe ◽

H J MacIsaac

Keyword(s):

Population Structure ◽

Dreissena Polymorpha ◽

Lake Erie ◽

Soft Tissues ◽

Gonadal Development ◽

Zebra Mussels ◽

Reproductive State ◽

Dreissena Bugensis ◽

Frequency Distributions ◽

Quagga Mussels

Quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis) population structure and reproductive status were assessed at deepwater (37 and 55 m) sites in eastern Lake Erie during July 1996. Mussels occupied ~70% of soft substrates at 37-m sites and between 63 and 90% at 55-m sites. Shell length and dry mass frequency distributions were similar at both sites, although recruits <<= 5 mm comprised a larger proportion of the population at the deeper site. The population surveyed here allocated disproportionately less mass to shell and more to soft tissues relative to zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) from shallow-water sites in eastern Lake Erie and from Lake St. Clair. The population at 55 m was slightly skewed toward male mussels (58%). Female mussels that were examined for reproductive state contained mature oocytes (80%) or had spent gonads (20%). Because water temperature at the site was only 4.8°C, this survey provides the first evidence of gonadal development and spawning by quagga mussels at low temperature. These findings contrast with most reports of spawning by congeneric zebra mussels at temperatures >=>12°C but are consistent with distributions of the species in different basins of the lake.

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Respiratory adjustment of dreissenid mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis) in response to chronic turbidity

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f96-096 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 53 (7) ◽

pp. 1626-1631 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

R Brent Summers ◽

James H Thorp ◽

James E Alexander, Jr. ◽

Ronald D Fell

Keyword(s):

Dreissena Polymorpha ◽

Dreissena Bugensis ◽

Dreissenid Mussels

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Quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) as biomonitors of metal contamination: A case study in the upper St. Lawrence River

Journal of Great Lakes Research ◽

10.1016/j.jglr.2010.11.002 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 140-146 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Carolyn Johns

Keyword(s):

Metal Contamination ◽

Dreissena Bugensis ◽

Quagga Mussels ◽

St Lawrence River

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Lethal and sublethal effects of sponge overgrowth on introduced dreissenid mussels in the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River system

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f95-858 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 52 (12) ◽

pp. 2695-2703 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Anthony Ricciardi ◽

Fred L. Snyder ◽

David O. Kelch ◽

Henry M. Reiswig

Keyword(s):

Great Lakes ◽

Dreissena Polymorpha ◽

Sublethal Effects ◽

Artificial Reef ◽

River System ◽

High Rate ◽

Freshwater Sponges ◽

Dreissena Bugensis ◽

Weight Losses ◽

St Lawrence River

Freshwater sponges in the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River system overgrow and kill introduced zebra (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) on solid substrates. Sponges overgrow and smother mussel siphons, thereby interfering with normal feeding and respiration. We tested the significance of sponge-enhanced mussel mortality by repeated sampling at several sites where both organisms were abundant in the upper St. Lawrence River and on an artificial reef in central Lake Erie. A small proportion (<10%) of the dreissenid population at each site was overgrown by sponge. Mussel colonies that were completely overgrown for 1 or more months invariably contained a significantly greater proportion of dead mussels than local uncovered populations. Mussels that survived prolonged periods (4–6 months) of overgrowth suffered significant tissue weight losses. Laboratory experiments and field observations suggest that dreissenids are not able to colonize sponges; therefore, sponges should always dominate competitive overgrowth situations. The overall impact of sponges on dreissenid populations in the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River system will probably be negligible because of the high rate of mussel recruitment and the environmental constraints on sponge growth; however, our results suggest that sponges may control mussel abundance locally.

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