Lauer, T.E. and A. Spacie, 2000. The Effects of Sponge (Porifera) Biofouling on Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) Fitness: Reduction of Glycogen, Tissue Loss, and Mortality, Ball State University.

Reprinted from Journal of Freshwater Ecology (2000) 15(1):83-92

The Effects of Sponge (Porifera) Biofouling on Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) Fitness: Reduction of Glycogen, Tissue Loss, and Mortality

Abstract
The effects of freshwater sponge (Porifera) overgrowth on the fitness of adult zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) were examined in East Chicago and Michigan City, Indiana harbors in southern Lake Michigan. There was significant reduction in glycogen content of sponge-covered zebra mussel soft tissue wet weight (mean=2.6%) when compared to the non sponge-covered population (mean=3.9%). Similarly, the soft tissue wet weight of sponge-covered zebra mussels (15 to 25 mm size class) was lower when compared to non-covered mussels. A comparison of the live:dead ratios of zebra mussels in born populations showed overgrowth by sponges had a significant lethal effect. These data suggest that the epibiont growth of freshwater sponges on adult zebra mussel shells negatively impacts the growth and survivability of zebra mussels.

Entire Paper
Contact: Thomas Lauer, Ball State University, Department of Biology, Muncie, IN 47306
Key Words: Zebra_mussel, Basic_biology, Population_dynamics
Product Type: Research, Basic_biology
User Type: General