Impacts of Dreissena polymorpha on vertical mobility of Campeloma decisum, and susceptibility on shell morphology

Abstract

Dreissena polymorpha, zebra mussel is an invasive species that alter aquatic ecosystem and can indirectly cause extinction in native invertebrate populations. As a result, they cause a lot of ecological and economic damage to the environment. The mussels recently appeared in Douglas Lake, MI. Campeloma decisum, a snail that is native to the lake, is getting colonized very rapidly. The purpose of this study was to figure out whether some snail characteristics make them susceptible to zebra mussels and to re-examine zebra mussel s influence over Campeloma mobility. Two random samples of Campeloma were collected on different days at the same site. The statistical analysis failed to yield the same result in two groups, and restriction on Campeloma movement by zebra mussels is clearly visualized; however it still remained unclear whether the shell morphology determines alteration of burrowing depth or the presence of zebra mussels do.