Long-term biodiversity erosion: limited co-existence of the Eurasian zebra mussel and native mussels in a North American river after 25 years

by Nichole Angell | Jun 30, 2026 | Uncategorized

North American unionid mussel populations have experienced significant mortality due to competition and fouling by the Eurasian zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771). Habitats whose water chemistry is suboptimal for the zebra mussel could plausibly serve as...

Predatory impact of freshwater drum on dreissenid populations in western Lake Erie

by Nichole Angell | Jun 30, 2026 | Uncategorized

Impacts of dreissenid mussels (Dreissena spp.) on Great Lakes ecosystems are well documented, but the mechanisms driving variation in their abundance remain poorly understood. Dreissenid mussels have been incorporated into fish diets throughout the Great Lakes;...

The Impacts of Invasive Zebra and Quagga Mussels on North American (Diporeia) and European (Monoporeia) Amphipods

by Nichole Angell | Jun 30, 2026 | Uncategorized

This review synthesizes the international literature on the effects of the invasive bivalves zebra (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussels (D. rostriformis bugensis) on the amphipods Diporeia hoyi and Monoporeia affinis, which are keystone species in North American...

Assessing low-dose copper treatment for dreissenid mussels: effects on nontarget organisms

by Autumn McGowan | Apr 3, 2026 | Uncategorized

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), an invasive dreissenid mussel, have been established and caused considerable effects in many North American aquatic ecosystems. In response, copper-based pesticides have been used to manage zebra mussel populations. We evaluated...

Game over for gamefishes after zebra and quagga mussel invasion: not in prairie lakes?

by Autumn McGowan | Apr 3, 2026 | Uncategorized

Mitigating threats of aquatic invasive species in lakes requires holistic insights into the biological, physical, and chemical conditions sustaining fish communities. This study establishes important trophic baseline conditions for three key gamefish species—walleye,...

Machine learning can refine models of environmental suitability and ecological associations for invasive quagga mussels

by Nichole Angell | Dec 8, 2025 | Uncategorized

Dreissenid mussels are among the most prolific aquatic invasive species globally, damaging water industry infrastructure, altering freshwater ecosystem functioning, and costing the global economy millions of US dollars annually. Extensive research has been conducted...

Nearly 50 years of water quality monitoring shows improvements and remaining challenges for a delisted Great Lakes Area of Concern

by Nichole Angell | Dec 8, 2025 | Uncategorized

Severn Sound, located in Lake Huron, is one of nine (out of 43) Areas of Concern (AOC) that have been delisted. In 1987, Severn Sound was designated an AOC due to eutrophication and habitat loss, and after mitigation measures, was delisted in 2003. Information used to...

Cascading effects of biological invasion and nutriment enrichment disrupt freshwater trophic energy pathways and food web quality

by Nichole Angell | Dec 8, 2025 | Uncategorized

Freshwater ecosystems are globally threatened by multiple climatic and anthropogenic stressors, including facilitated biological invasion and eutrophication, and thus understanding their effects on ecosystem function is critical. One key aspect is the availability of...

Two invaders, one reservoir: Hydrilla shapes the distribution of zebra mussels and may facilitate their growth

by Autumn McGowan | Oct 2, 2025 | Uncategorized

Aquatic invasive species can alter ecosystem processes, detrimentally affect native species, and facilitate the invasion of other species. One infamous aquatic invader, the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), is known to cause declines in phytoplankton through their...

Using bioavailability modeling to refine copper treatments for zebra mussel control and better understanding risks to non-target species

by Autumn McGowan | Oct 2, 2025 | Uncategorized

Copper can be toxic to aquatic organisms at high concentrations and has been previously used successfully to control zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha). Because copper’s toxicity changes with water chemistry, using the same copper concentration in different...