Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha): a look at its recolonization onto living (unionid) and non-living surfaces

Abstract

The invasion of zebra mussels (Dreisenna polymorpha) has had a tremendous impact on lake habitats ever since their arrival in 1986 (O’Neill 1994). They live on the hard surfaces in the lake, which includes native mussels (unionids) and rocks. Within this study, we examined surface preferences of zebra mussels by looking at living and dead native mussel shells and rocks. We constructed a plot area on the South Fishtail Bay area of Douglas Lake and counted the number of zebra mussels we found on both living and dead unionids. After the removal of these zebra mussels, we waited seven days for recolonization to occur and recounted the number of zebra mussels that were present upon the unionids shells and a transect of rocks that were placed in the water. After collecting this data, we found there to be no preference between the three surfaces we studied. However, by examining our plot data, we discovered the recolonization rate of zebra mussels, which is approximately 0.074 zebra mussels per native mussel per day. This data shows there is a possibility of creating a refuge for native mussels along the Douglas Lake shoreline by removing the zebra mussels every three months.