Comparative Biology of Zebra Mussels in Europe and North America: An Overview

SYNOPSIS. Since the discovery of the zebra mussel, Dreissenapolymorpha, in the Great Lakes in 1988 comparisons have beenmade with mussel populations in Europe and the former SovietUnion. These comparisons include: Population dynamics, growthand mortality rates, ecological tolerances and requirements,dispersal rates and patterns, and ecological impacts. NorthAmerican studies, mostly on the zebra mussel and a few on asecond introduced species, the quagga mussel, Dreissena bugensis,have revealed some similarities and some differences. To dateit appears that North American populations of zebra musselsare similar to European populations in their basic biologicalcharacteristics, population growth and mortality rates, anddispersal mechanisms and rates. Relative to European populationsdifferences have been demonstrated for: (1) individual growthrates; (2) life spans; (3) calcium and pH tolerances and requirements;(4) potential distribution limits; and (5) population densitiesof veligers and adults. In addition, studies on the occurrenceof the two dreissenid species in the Great Lakes are showingdifferences in their modes of life, depth distributions, andgrowth rates. As both species spread throughout North America,comparisons between species and waterbodies will enhance ourability to more effectively control these troublesome species.     

Zebra Mussel Infestation of Unionid Bivalves (Unionidae) in North America

SYNOPSIS. In 1989, zebra mussels received national attentionin North America when they reached densities exceeding 750,000/m2in a water withdrawal facility along the shore of western LakeErie of the Laurentian Great Lakes. Although water withdrawalproblems caused by zebra mussels have been of immediate concern,ecological impacts attributed to mussels are likely to be themore important long-term issue for surface waters in North America.To date, the epizoic colonization (i.e., infestation) of unionidbivalve mollusks by zebra mussels has caused the most directand severe ecological impact. Infestation of and resulting impactscaused by zebra mussels on unionids in the Great Lakes beganin 1988. By 1990, mortality of unionids was occurring at somelocations; by 1991, extant populations of unionids in westernLake Erie were nearly extirpated; by 1992, unionid populationsin the southern half of Lake St. Clair were extirpated; by 1993,unionids in widely separated geographic areas of the Great Lakesand the Mississippi River showed high mortality due to musselinfestation. All infested unionid species in the Great Lakes(23) have become infested and exhibited mortality within twoto four years after heavy infestation began. Data indicate thatmean zebra mussel densities >5,000–6,000/m² and infestationintensities >100-200/unionid in the presence of heavy zebramussel recruitment results in near total mortality of unionids.At present, all unionid species in rivers, streams, and akesthat sympatrically occur with zebra mussels have been infestedand, in many locations, negatively impacted by zebra mussels.We do not know the potential consequences of infestation onthe 297 unionid species found in North America, but believezebra mussels pose an immediate threat to the abundance anddiversity of unionids.