Ecological and Genetic Studies onDreissena polymorpha(Pallas): a New Mollusc in the Great Lakes

Abstract

Dreissena polymorpha, a bivalve mollusc endemic to Europe, has established a population in Lakes St. Clair and Erie, likely as a result of ballast water discharge. Allozyme studies showed that the Lake St. Clair population was polymorphic at 73.9% of the loci examined and that individual heterozygosities averaged 31.6%. This high level of genotypic diversity indicated that the population was founded from a substantial number of individuals and did not undergo a bottleneck subsequent to founding. The population is reproducing with peak densities in excess of 200 individuals∙m−2. Juvenile settlement occurs in late July and August with veliger larvae preferentially settling on the shells of live mussels. The species appears likely to become a dominant member of the shallow water benthos throughout the lower Great Lakes.

Origin of Spanish invasion by the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771) revealed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting

“…Carlton (1993) has suggested that transport through ballast water from a European port is considered to be the route by which zebra mussels (most likely as veliger larvae) were introduced into the Great Lakes of North America (Hebert et al 1989). Similarly, Bij de Vaate et al (2002) have discussed the role of ballast-water transport in the spread of a number of Ponto-Caspian species through the mainland of Europe, including the zebra mussel.…”

Relationship of parasites and pathologies to contaminant body burden in sentinel bivalves: NOAA Status and Trends ‘Mussel Watch’ Program

“…Zebra mussels were rst discovered in the Great Lakes in 1988 (Hebert et al, 1989). Quagga mussels were found in 1991 (May and Marsden, 1992).…”

“…Quagga mussels were found in 1991 (May and Marsden, 1992). Both likely were introduced from Europe in ship ballast water (Hebert et al, 1989). Both species spread rapidly throughout the Great Lakes system and then into the major river basins of the central and eastern U.S. (Gri ths et al, 1991;Strayer, 1991;Mills et al, 1996).…”

Continuous reproduction of Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1824) females: an invasive mussel species in a female-biased population

“…Most unionid species are also generalists with respect to the choice of host, including cases of encystation on the body of fish species with which they do not coexist in the areas of their natural range of distribution (Barnhart et al, 2008;Łabęcka, 2009;Douda et al, 2012). In addition to the natural tendency of organisms for expansion, many spectacular examples of extension in the distribution range of different aquatic species have been observed in connection with the development of the transport and construction of channels linking river and marine catchment basins (Hebert et al, 1989). Human activity contributes to the formation of new habitats, often with increased temperature, like discharge channels of cooling water, greenhouses, or botanical gardens.…”