Multiple invasions decimate the most imperiled freshwater invertebrates

by Nichole Angell | May 13, 2025 | Uncategorized

Invaders can have devastating impacts on freshwater ecosystems, but these impacts can subside over time as ecosystems “adapt” to the invasion of new species. We analyzed changes in species composition and density of molluscs in Oneida Lake (New York, USA), one of the...

Increased mercury concentrations in walleye and yellow perch in lakes invaded by zebra mussels

by Autumn McGowan | Jan 28, 2025 | Uncategorized

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are invasive species that alter ecosystems and food webs with the potential to affect aquatic mercury cycling and bioaccumulation in fishes, although the effect of zebra mussels on fish tissue mercury has not been tested in inland...

Don’t move a mussel: The role of key environmental drivers and management scale in assessing spatial variation in dreissenid spread risk in the Missouri River basin

by Autumn McGowan | Jan 28, 2025 | Uncategorized

The spread of non-native freshwater mussels in North America is a growing threat that has already resulted in substantial ecological and economic damage to infested areas. A primary vector by which invasive mussels spread is watercraft that are transported over land...

Low densities and little change in water clarity characterize zebra mussel invasions near the southern extent of their range

by Autumn McGowan | Jan 28, 2025 | Uncategorized

Invasive species are often assumed to have measurable impacts throughout their potential range, but this is not always true. This study evaluated whether zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) were causing an increase in water clarity near the southern edge of their...

Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) population dynamics and associated water quality impacts along their southern United States colonization front

by Autumn McGowan | Jan 28, 2025 | Uncategorized

Zebra mussels represent one of the most pervasive and expensive non-native species to be introduced into new aquatic ecosystems, negatively impacting human structures and infrastructure and acting as ecosystem engineers. Zebra mussels have demonstrated thermal...

Ecosystem changes in eight Danish lakes after zebra mussel invasion

by Theresa Gruninger | Aug 8, 2024 | Uncategorized

Invasion of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) can have profound effects on lake ecosystems. We investigated the overall ecological effects after invasion and fast expansion of zebra mussels in eight lakes in Denmark belonging to the same watercourse systems but...

When two evils are not equal: Differential biofouling of unionid bivalves by two invasive dreissenid species

by Theresa Gruninger | Aug 8, 2024 | Uncategorized

Byssate bivalves are ecosystem engineers with world-wide impact on aquatic communities through habitat forming and biofouling of hard-shelled organisms. In fresh waters, they are represented by invasive Ponto-Caspian dreissenid mussels spreading throughout Europe and...

Investigating the effects of dreissenid mussel shells in streams post-invasion

by Theresa Gruninger | Aug 8, 2024 | Uncategorized

The ecological impact of dreissenid mussel (e.g., quagga and zebra) populations and their empty shells on native fauna in large rivers and lakes has been extensively studied. However, there is limited information on their effects in small wadable streams. Although...

The Great Lakes’ most unwanted: Characterizing the impacts of the top ten Great Lakes aquatic invasive species

by Theresa Gruninger | Aug 8, 2024 | Uncategorized

As of 2023, 188 non-native species have been identified in the Laurentian Great Lakes, with about half being considered benign. Some of these species have been elevated to the status of invasive (i.e. causing extreme negative effects). Here, we identified and...

More than we bargained for: zebra mussels transported amongst European native freshwater snails

by Nichole Angell | Aug 24, 2023 | Uncategorized

Abstract The international pet trade is a major driver of non-native species spread, including species both sold in the trade, and organisms incidentally transported alongside. Here, we document the discovery of invasive zebra mussels, Dreissena polymorpha, in...