Invasive zebra and quagga mussels (collectively called dreissenid mussels) are causing significant ecological and economic impacts and the range of these impacts continues to increase as they spread across North America. Dreissenids affect industrial and municipal infrastructure, recreational water users, and they severely alter aquatic ecosystems. USGS has been conducting dreissenid mussel control and rapid response research in the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River basins for several years including evaluating the application of targeted molluscicides, assessing the effects of molluscicides on non-target species, and developing genetic tools for dreissenid mussel detection.
In 2016, the first detection of dreissenid mussel larvae was documented in Montana. This detection triggered the launch of the DOI Invasive Mussel Initiative to identify opportunities for the federal government to strengthen efforts, in coordination with states and tribes, to address invasive mussels in the Columbia River Basin and across the West. In support of this effort, the USGS evaluated genetic markers for dreissenid mussel early detection and is working to improve environmental DNA sampling and analysis protocols. USGS work also included the development of a variety of risk-based, early detection monitoring plans in the Northern Rocky Mountains.
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)
More information about GLRI projects is available from the links below.
Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center (UMESC)
More information about UMESC projects is available from the links below.
- Assessment of Open Water Zequanox Applications for Controlling Dreissenid Mussels within an Inland Lake
- Evaluation of lethal and sublethal responses of dreissenid and unionid mussels to elevated carbon dioxide
- Exposure-Related Effects of Zequanox on Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) Survival and Condition
- Temperature-dependent toxicity of molluscicides to zebra mussels
- Use of electrified fields to control dreissenid mussels
⇒ Return to Invasive Animals
USGS studies related to invasive mussels are listed below.
Assessment of Open Water Zequanox Applications for Controlling Dreissenid Mussels within an Inland Lake
Advancing Invasive Mussel Science Through Collaboration
Invasive Mussel Control Science: Management Tools for Assessing the Risks and Control of Invasive Dreissenid Species
Use of electrified fields to control dreissenid mussels
Temperature-dependent toxicity of molluscicides to zebra mussels
Exposure-Related Effects of Zequanox on Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) Survival and Condition
Evaluation of lethal and sublethal responses of dreissenid and unionid mussels to elevated carbon dioxide
- Overview
Invasive zebra and quagga mussels (collectively called dreissenid mussels) are causing significant ecological and economic impacts and the range of these impacts continues to increase as they spread across North America. Dreissenids affect industrial and municipal infrastructure, recreational water users, and they severely alter aquatic ecosystems. USGS has been conducting dreissenid mussel control and rapid response research in the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River basins for several years including evaluating the application of targeted molluscicides, assessing the effects of molluscicides on non-target species, and developing genetic tools for dreissenid mussel detection.
In 2016, the first detection of dreissenid mussel larvae was documented in Montana. This detection triggered the launch of the DOI Invasive Mussel Initiative to identify opportunities for the federal government to strengthen efforts, in coordination with states and tribes, to address invasive mussels in the Columbia River Basin and across the West. In support of this effort, the USGS evaluated genetic markers for dreissenid mussel early detection and is working to improve environmental DNA sampling and analysis protocols. USGS work also included the development of a variety of risk-based, early detection monitoring plans in the Northern Rocky Mountains.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Zebra Mussels (Public domain.) Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)
More information about GLRI projects is available from the links below.
Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center (UMESC)
More information about UMESC projects is available from the links below.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Quagga mussels and deepwater sculpin collected from a benthic trawl near Grand Haven, Michigan by the USGS R/V Sturgeon. (Public domain.) - Assessment of Open Water Zequanox Applications for Controlling Dreissenid Mussels within an Inland Lake
- Evaluation of lethal and sublethal responses of dreissenid and unionid mussels to elevated carbon dioxide
- Exposure-Related Effects of Zequanox on Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) Survival and Condition
- Temperature-dependent toxicity of molluscicides to zebra mussels
- Use of electrified fields to control dreissenid mussels
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.⇒ Return to Invasive Animals
- Science
USGS studies related to invasive mussels are listed below.
Assessment of Open Water Zequanox Applications for Controlling Dreissenid Mussels within an Inland Lake
Invasion of dreissenid mussels (zebra and quagga mussels, Dreissena polymorpha and D. rostriformis bugensis, respectively) into the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins has resulted in estimated economic impacts as high as $1 billion annually for maintenance and repair of biofouled water conveyance systems and other infrastructures (Pimentel et al. 2005).Advancing Invasive Mussel Science Through Collaboration
The Invasive Mussel Collaborative was formed in 2014 to advance scientifically sound technology for invasive mussel control to produce measurable ecological and economic benefits in the Great Lakes. A broad membership base of states, provinces, tribal and other entities and a well-organized communication network facilitates the exchange of information between scientists, managers and stakeholders...Invasive Mussel Control Science: Management Tools for Assessing the Risks and Control of Invasive Dreissenid Species
Invasive zebra and quagga mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and D. rostriformis bugensis, respectively) are causing significant ecological and economic impacts and the scope of these impacts increases as they continue to spread across North America. The USGS conducts science to inform management actions for controlling and mitigating the impacts of invasive mussels. Studies include evaluation and...Use of electrified fields to control dreissenid mussels
Zebra and quagga mussels were first introduced into the Great Lakes in the 1980’s and they have since expanded to over 750 inland lakes in addition to the 5 Great Lakes (http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/Nonindigenous_Species/Zebra_mussel_distribution/zebra_mussel_distribution.html, accessed 8/5/2015). A 2009 study conducted by the Idaho Aquatic Nuisance Species Taskforce estimated the annual economic...Temperature-dependent toxicity of molluscicides to zebra mussels
Zebra mussels (Dreissenia polymorpha) are native to the Black, Caspian, and Aral Seas of eastern Europe (Gollasch and Leppäkoski 1999) and they were likely introduced into Lake Erie as veliger larvae in the summer or fall of 1985 (Hebert et al. 1989). Their high reproductive capacity and planktonic larval stage enable zebra mussels to rapidly disperse (Birnbaum 2011). Less than 10 years after...Exposure-Related Effects of Zequanox on Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) Survival and Condition
A dead-cell, spray-dried powder formulation of Pseudomonas fluorescens, strain CL145A was recently approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for control of dreissenid mussels (zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha and quagga mussel, Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) in open-water environments. The EPA approved product, Zequanox® (registration number 84059-15) is manufactured by Marrone...Evaluation of lethal and sublethal responses of dreissenid and unionid mussels to elevated carbon dioxide
Control technology for dreissenid mussels currently relies heavily on chemical molluscicides that can be both costly and ecologically harmful. There is a need to develop more environmentally neutral control tools to manage dreissenid mussels. Carbon dioxide has shown toxicity to several species of invasive bivalves, including zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and the Asian clam (Corbicula... - Web Tools