The Effects of Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) Colonization on the Macroinvertebrate Community of a Third Order Stream
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Authors
Hasfurther, Debra L.
Issue Date
1996
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Dreissena polymorpha, or the zebra mussel, invaded U.S. waters In
approximately 1985 and has since experienced an explosive growth in
population. This tiny bivalve has virtually taken over large portions of the
Great Lakes and threatens to over-colonize and outcompete native
organisms in every waterway in the northern United States. With
predictions of heavy colonization over the coming years, significant efforts
have been launched not only to control the zebra mussel but also to assess
the impact it will have on other organisms.
Due to the fact that zebra mussels out-compete many species for
precious nutrients in the water column and also disturb breeding grounds
, for some species of fish, it is assumed that they will create harmful effects
for many native species. However, D. polymorpha is also an efficient
biofilterer, rapidly cleaning up any water system it inhabits, and provides
ideal shelter for many macroinvertebrates. At this point it is difficult to
assess the relationship between costs and benefits that colonization of this
species may provide.
In this experiment we discovered that in the presence of dead zebra
mussels, invertebrate families Tricladidae, Hydropsychidae, and
Hydrobiidae as well as the total number of invertebrates flourished as
they were able to make use of the protective shells for shelter while not
experiencing feeding competition. Moreover, nearly all families of
invertebrates included in this study also experienced an increase in
establishment when live mussels were present. This pattern indicates that
the benefit of shelter and increased surface area created by the presence
of the mussels outweighed any negative impact produced by competition.
Other invertebrate families showed no overall change in establishment
ability between substrate completely free of mussels, with a low density of
mussels, a high density, or with only dead zebra mussels. These families
suffered no negative impact or benefit as a result of the colonization of the
zebra mussel invader.
Description
viii, 36 p.
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo College
License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder.