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Effects of Elevated Temperatures on Invasive Freshwater Dreissenids
Koplyay, Courtney
Koplyay, Courtney
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Date
2020
Additional date(s)
2020-05-19
Abstract
Dreissena polymorpha (zebra mussels) and Dreissena bugenis (quagga mussels) are invasive freshwater species native to Eastern Europe. In the 1980s, commercial shipping vessels introduced these dreissenids to the Great Lakes region, and they have since made their way throughout the United States. Originally thought to be a cold-water species, these mussels have invaded warmer waters of the southern US. The survival of Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugenis were examined at various temperatures to determine the upper limit of their temperature tolerance. In experiments aimed at specifying their survival range, the mussels exhibited decreased survival at temperatures greater than 32°C and no survival at temperatures over 35°C. Long-term maintenance at 30°C and 32°C reduced survival rates compared to mussels maintained at low and mid-range temperatures. Repeated trials showed that quagga mussels and zebra mussels have similar survival rates at comparable temperatures. Smaller mussels also exhibited greater survival than larger mussels. The results indicate that the upper-temperature limit of Texas-obtained dreissenids is 34°C. Lakes in the southern regions of the United States can reach up to 30°C in the summer, which suggests that warming waters in the summer months may have a limited effect on the survival rate of dreissenids. However, elevated temperatures in shallow waters or isolated conditions may affect the further spread of these invasive species.
Contents
Subject
zebra mussels
quagga mussels
temperature
tolerance
quagga mussels
temperature
tolerance
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Biology