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Baker, P., S. Baker, and R. Mann, 1993. "Potential Range of the Zebra Mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, In and Near Virginia", College of William and Mary, Virginia Sea Grant College Program --The following document is from the proceedings of a 1993 zebra mussel workshop, conducted in Baltimore, Maryland. At the workshop, forecasts were presented concerning the future of zebra mussels, Dreissena polymorpha, in the mid-Atlantic states. Potential Range of the Zebra Mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, In and Near VirginiaINTRODUCTION This publication is devoted to predictions of the probability of invasion by the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha (and the quagga mussel, Dreissena sp.) to specific bodies of water in Virginia. Probability of invasion is divided into risk and susceptibility. Risk refers to the chance, relative to other sites, that a body of water will be inoculated with Dreissena, in sufficient number to establish a population. Inoculation can occur by natural dispersal, but in the mid-Atlantic region is most likely to occur through accidental introduction by humans, especially via boat traffic. Susceptibility of a body of water refer to the probability, based on known physiological requirements, that Dreissena could survive and reproduce. In this publication predictions are made, concerning both risk and susceptibility, for several bodies of water in Virginia. Original Dreissena populations are native to freshwater or brackish portions of estuaries, with bidirectional water flow, in eastern Europe and central Asia (Staczykowska, 1977), and most subsequent invasions have occurred in lakes and freshwater portions of estuaries (Shtegman, 1968; Wolff, 1969; Staczykowska, 1977; Griffiths et al., 1991). Freshwater portions of estuaries, and natural and artificial reservoirs in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States (here defined as drainages east of the Appalachian Mountains between New York and South Carolina) are therefore at risk from invasion by Dreissena, given correct water quality parameters. Dreissena populations cannot be maintained at high levels in freshwater rivers without an upstream reservoir or lake, because it has planktonic larvae and postlarvae stages. This topic is discussed at greater length in Criteria for Predicting Zebra Mussel Invasions in the Mid-Atlantic Region, a Virginia Sea Grant Publication, which can be obtained from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Entire Paper |