Swimming and Settlement Behavior in the Quagga Mussel
In 1992, a second invasive mussel was discovered in the Great Lakes. Though it appears to resemble the zebra mussel, molecular evidence indicates that this quagga mussel is indeed a different species. If it disperses as rapidly and effectively as the zebra mussel, it too could spread widely in North America with damaging effects on the ecology of lake and river systems as well as on industries such as electrical generation plants.
Of particular concern is the initial observation that the quagga mussel can tolerate salinities higher than the zebra. Some of the methods such plants use to control zebra mussels and, potentially, quagga mussels, can be costly, inefficient or environmentally undesirable. As a consequence, environmentally benign methods of control are of great interest.
The most effective stage of control would be the free-swimming larval stage, before settlement when the mussel would already be well established. Development of such deterrence depends on understanding the behavior of mussel larvae with regards to:
- their reaction to gravity
- temperature and salinity changes
By studying their repertoire of behaviors, Victor Kennedy will be able to detail the similarities between both zebra and quagga mussels and may be able to develop recommendations for preventive actions industries such as power plants could take to inhibit their settlement in water intake systems.
To learn more about exotic species in this area, please visit Exotics in the Chesapeake.
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Victor S. Kennedy
Horn Point Laboratory
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
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