In situ growth of juvenile zebra mussels in a regulated stream

Journal of Freshwater Ecology
By: , and 

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Abstract

We investigated the in situ growth of juvenile zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in a reach of the Huron River (southeast Michigan) below a dam with a control gate that regulates water levels. Growth was significantly different among sample dates over a five-month-long monitoring season. Mean growth of mussels generally decreased from 0.093 mm/day just above the dam to 0.067 mm/day 4 km downstream, then increased to 0.091 mm/day at end of the 17-km-long study area. Significant differences among sites were most numerous in August during a severe drought when discharges fell substantially. Growth was positively correlated with discharges (R2 = 0.94, p < 0.01). The positive correlation between growth and chlorophyll a levels in the study area, however, was weak (R2 = 0.69, p < 0.1). Our study suggests that discharge may be one controlling factor for dreissenid populations in small streams.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title In situ growth of juvenile zebra mussels in a regulated stream
Series title Journal of Freshwater Ecology
DOI 10.1080/02705060.2006.9664092
Volume 21
Issue 1
Year Published 2006
Language English
Publisher Taylor and Francis
Publisher location Philadelphia, PA
Contributing office(s) Great Lakes Science Center
Description 6 p.
First page 25
Last page 30
Country United States
State Michigan
Other Geospatial Huron River
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