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1. Zebra mussels anchor byssal threads faster and tighter than quagga mussels in flow

   https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.028688  

   Peyer, Suzanne M.; McCarthy, Alice J.; Lee, Carol Eunmi (July 2009, Journal of Experimental Biology)

   SUMMARY While the invasive zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha has rapidly spread throughout the Great Lakes and inland waterways, it is being displaced by the quagga mussel Dreissena bugensis in shallow water habitats. However, zebra mussels remain dominant in areas with higher water velocity. We hypothesized that the persistence of zebra over quagga mussels in habitats with higher water velocity might result from greater rate and strength of byssal thread attachment. We examined whether zebra mussels relative to quagga mussels have: (1) higher byssal thread synthesis rate, (2) lower dislodgment in flow and (3) greater mechanical force required for detachment from substrate. Specifically, we examined byssal thread synthesis rate and dislodgment of both species in response to water velocities of 0, 50, 100 and 180 cm s–1. Byssal thread synthesis rate was significantly higher for zebra than for quagga mussels at all velocities. Dislodgment from the substrate increased for both species with increasing velocity but was significantly lower for zebra than for quagga mussels. We also tested the mechanical force to detach mussels after short (32 h) and long (two and three months) periods of attachment on hard substrate. Detachment force was significantly higher for zebra than for quagga mussels only after short-term attachment. Higher byssal thread synthesis rate in zebra mussels was a likely factor that minimized their dislodgment in flow and increased short-term attachment strength. Differences in byssal thread synthesis rate between the two species might partly account for the ability of zebra mussels to maintain dominance over quagga mussels in habitats with high velocities. 

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2. Spatial variation in propagule pressure and establishment of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) within a subtropical reservoir

   https://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2021.16.1.07  

   Hallidayschult, Thayer; Beyer, Jessica; Hambright, David (January 2021, Aquatic Invasions)

   null (Ed.)
3. Molecular ecology of zebra mussel invasions: ZEBRA MUSSEL INVASIONS

   https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-294X.2006.02814.x  

   MAY, GEMMA E.; GELEMBIUK, GREGORY W.; PANOV, VADIM E.; ORLOVA, MARINA I.; LEE, CAROL EUNMI (April 2006, Molecular Ecology)
4. Phylogeny and phylogeography of the Nearctic Lathrobium

   Haberski, A. (November 2023, Entomological Society of America)
5. Feeding Rate of Mussels with Microplastics and Surfactants

   Flores, Y; Haynes, V; Ward, E (February 2018, Ocean Sciences)

   Suspension-feeding mollusks (e.g., bivalves) play a key role in improving the water quality of coastal environments by filtering out suspended matter from the water column. Microplastics are becoming ubiquitous in the marine environment, so it is important to understand if these particles affect feeding processes of bivalves. Additionally, previous studies regarding the impact of microplastic on bivalve physiology have not independently tested for the effects of surfactants which are often added to commercially available plastic particles to prevent aggregation. We measured the clearance rate of mussels (Mytilus edulis) exposed to one type of microplastic and three common surfactants. Mussels were given a dose of microalgal food (1 x 104 cells/mL) and 10-m polystyrene spheres (Polybead; 1 x 104 beads/mL). Experimental treatments tested were washed microspheres and microspheres coated with each of the following surfactants at a concentration of 2mg/L: triton X-100, benzalkonium chloride, and sodium dodecyl sulfate. These surfactants are nonionic, cationic, and anionic, respectively. Control mussels were given a microalgal diet only (2 x 104 cells/mL). Each mussel was placed in an individual 1-L chamber and exposed to one of the aforementioned treatments. Water samples were taken at the start of the experiment (t=0) and then every 10 minutes for 30 minutes to determine clearance rates. Particle concentrations were measured using an electronic particle counter (Coulter Counter) at an appropriate size range for the algae and microspheres. Our results indicate that microspheres with or without surfactant had no effect on clearance rates of mussel compared to those of the controls. Further, our research suggests that the use of polystyrene microspheres in future experiments without initial washing does not affect the clearance rate of mussels. 

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