Substrate selection by settling zebra mussels, Dreissena polymorpha, relative to material, texture, orientation, and sunlight

Canadian Journal of Zoology - Tập 78 Số 5 - Trang 787-793 - 2000
J. Ellen Marsden, David M Lansky

Tóm tắt

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) invaded the Great Lakes in 1986 and are considered to be a nuisance species, because of their rapid population growth and their strong byssal attachment to a variety of man-made and natural surfaces. Research on possible antifouling materials or coatings has revealed few nontoxic substrates that even retard attachment of mussels. The influence of several substrate characteristics in combination (material, texture, orientation, and sunlight) on zebra mussel settlement was examined. Settlement of post-veliger mussels on experimental plates indicated that the mussels attached in higher numbers on upper versus lower horizontal surfaces, textured versus smooth surfaces, shaded versus sunlit surfaces, PVC versus Plexiglas, and plastic (PVC and Plexiglas) versus glass. Zebra mussels did not show strong preferences among several additional substrate materials (wood, Fiberglas, concrete, limestone, aluminum, and raw steel) but they strongly avoided galvanized steel. These results confirm field observations of locations in which mussels are most likely to be found. Information about zebra mussel substrate preferences may enhance the design of monitoring programs and the integrated management of mussels in vulnerable areas.

Từ khóa


Tài liệu tham khảo

Ackerman J.D., 1996, J. Environ. Eng. (Los Angeles), 122, 141, 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(1996)122:2(141)

Berkman P.A., 1998, Nature (London), 393, 27, 10.1038/29902

Hunter R.D., 1992, Nautilus, 106, 60

Lewandowski K., 1982, Ekol. Pol., 30, 223

Martel A., 1993, Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci., 50, 3, 10.1139/f93-001

Van Diepen J.V., 1976, Hydrobiol. Bull., 19, 179, 10.1007/BF02270764

Walz N., 1973, Arch. Hydrobiol. Suppl., 42, 452

Walz N., 1975, Arch. Hydrobiol. Suppl., 47, 423

Thông tin
Thông tin xuất bản

Canadian Journal of Zoology

Tập 78 Số 5

787-793

Thông tin tác giả