Complete Name : Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771)
Taxonomy : Mollusca » Mollusca » Bivalvia » Veneroida » Dreissenidae » Dreissena polymorpha
Authors : Anastasija Zaiko and Sergej Olenin
Last Updated : September 2006

Zebra mussel, wandering mussel.

Mytilus polymorpha - Pallas, 1771

Sessile bivalve mollusc, forming dense colonies on various hard substrates in fresh and slightly brackish waters. It has brownish-yellowish triangular shells (up to 50 mm) with dark and light coloured ("zebra") zigzag banding. It is a filter feeder on microscopic plankton organisms and organic particles.

• Dispersal Mechanisms
  • During the pelagic state veligers and post-veligers are transported by currents. Secondary dispersal occurs by the drifting of post-larvae and young adults using byssal and/or mucous threads.
• Reproduction
  • Zebra mussels have separate sexes, usually with a ratio 1:1. Fertilisation takes place externally. Synchronised spawning occurs once > 8 mm and is influenced by water temperature. A mature female may produce one million eggs per year. Spawning begins at 12-15ºC, and can be profuse at 18-20ºC; and may take place over a period of 3-5 months.
• Known Predators/Herbivores
  • These small molluscs are preyed upon by different fish species (e.g. roach, carp, and eel) and also diving ducks, crayfish and muskrats.
• Resistant Stages (seeds, spores etc.)
  • None.

• Native (EUNIS Code)
  • C1: Surface standing waters, C2: Surface running waters, C3: Littoral zone of inland surface waterbodies, X1: Estuaries, X3: Brackish coastal lagoons. Large estuaries and inland waters, hard and soft bottom habitats.
• Habitat Occupied in Invaded Range (EUNIS Code)
  • C1: Surface standing waters, C2: Surface running waters, C3: Littoral zone of inland surface waterbodies, X1: Estuaries, X3: Brackish coastal lagoons. The typical habitats colonised are estuaries, rivers and lakes, particularly where there are firm surfaces suitable for attachment.
• Habitat Requirements
  • It tolerates temperatures from -20°C to 40°C. The best growth is observed at 18-20°C. It tolerates brackish waters with salinity up to 7 ppt. Prefers moderately productive (mesotrophic) water bodies. Occurs from the lower shore to depths of 12m in brackish parts of sea and to 60m in lakes. It is able to tolerate low oxygen content in water for several days and to survive out of water under cool damp conditions for up to three weeks.

The most likely introduction vector is shipping (ballast water and hull fouling of vessels). Also could be transported with timber or river gravel and overland transport. Larval dispersal may occur.

• Native Range
  • Native to the drainage basins of the Black, Caspian and Aral Seas.
• Known Introduced Range
  • Introduced to north-west Russia, central and western Europe, Scandinavia, Britain, Ireland and North America. During the 19th century the zebra mussel occupied most of inner water systems of western and central Europe, in the 1920’s it appeared in Sweden, in the 1960’s it was found in alpine lakes around the Alps and reached Italy in 1977, Ireland by 1994 and Spain by 2001. In 1988 it first appeared in Lake St. Clair and rapidly spread throughout the Great Lakes of North America.
• Trend
  • Further range expansions are expected in temperate latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Future expansion to South America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand is possible.

known distribution area (in CGRS grid squares; in countries; along coast)

	eradicated
	extinct
	not present; eradicated
	native distribution range in CGRS grid squares
	native range
	assumed native range
	infrequent distribution
	key distribution area
	not established

• Ecosystem Impact
  • It competes for space and food with native mussels and other filter-feeding organisms. Bioaccumulates pollutants. Its high consumption of phytoplankton results in increased water clarity. It is a food source for birds and benthophagous demersial fish. It causes severe habitat alterations.
• Health and Social Impact
  • The sharp shells may cause injuries in recreational areas.
• Economic Impact
  • Multiple economic impacts, including: fisheries (interference with fishing gear, prey for commercial fish, alteration of fish communities), aquaculture (fouling of cages); water abstractions (clogging of water intake pipes); aquatic transport (fouling of ship hulls and navigational constructions). Invasion of the zebra mussels to the North America is causing annual multimillion losses to the economy. Zebra mussels also have been used as fishing bait, for fish meal production and feeding complements for poultry.

• Prevention
  • Preventing overseas transfer can only be achieved by mid-ocean exchange or by suitable disinfection of ballast water. Appropriate control measures (inspection, removal of attached mussels, drying, etc.) should be taken to minimise risk of inoculation by transfer of boats, fishing gears, etc.
• Mechanical
  • Removal (scraping, mechanical scrubbers in pipes), thermal, UV light and electric currents have been used.
• Chemical
  • Using anti-fouling paints and surfaces, metal-organic chemicals, chlorine, etc.
• Biological
  • Control through predators.

The following contributors have provided records in the DAISIE database for this species.

The following experts registered themselves as having knowledge about this species or its family.

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Claudi R and Mackie GL (1994) Practical manual for zebra mussel monitoring and control. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, Florida, p 227

Karatayev A, Burlakova L & Padilla D. (2002) Impacts of Zebra Mussels on Aquatic Communities and their Role as Ecosystem Engineers. In: Leppäkoski E, Gollasch S and Olenin S (eds) Invasive aquatic species of Europe - distribution, impacts and management. Kluwer Academic Publ., Dordrecht, Boston, London, pp 433-446

Olenin S, Orlova M, Minchin D (1999) Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771). In: Gollasch S, Minchin D, Rosenthal H, Voigt M (eds) Case histories on introduced species: their general biology, distribution, range expansion and impact. Logos-Verlag Berlin:37-42

Global Invasive species Database (2006) http://www.issg.org/database/welcome. Cited 01 Oct 2006

Karataev A.Y., Burlakova L.E. 1995. The role of Dreissena in lake ecosystems. Russian Journal of Ecology, 26:207-211

Lange CL, Wittmeyer SA (1996) The Contribution of Zebra Mussel (Dreissena spp.) Feces and Pseudofeces Production to Taste and Odor Episodes in the Niagara River and Lake Erie. In D'itri (ed) Acres International Corporation, Erie Country Water Authority. Ann Arbor Press, 1996, p 16

Starobogatov JI (ed) (1994) Presnovodnyi molliusk Dreissena polymorpha (Pall.) (Bivalvia, Dreissenidae): systematika, ecologiya, prakticheskoe znachenie (Freshwater zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha (Pall.) (Bivalvia, Dreissenidae): systematics, ecology, practical meaning). Nauka, Moscow, p 241

USGS (2002) Dreissena polymorpha. http://nas.er.usgs.gov/zebra.mussel/docs/sp_account.html. Cited 2 Nov 2002

WGITMO (2001) Report. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Barcelona, Spain: p 100