Meeting Abstract
The invasive zebra mussel, (Dreissena polymorpha), has caused significant ecological and economical damage. While their physiology has been examined for a variety of environmental conditions both in the field and the lab, there are gaps within the literature. First, little is known about the cellular processes during environmental fluctuations. Second, there are discrepancies in the reported values for both optimal and lethal temperatures, which may be attributed to localized adaptation or acclimation. However, these differences make it challenging to develop biologically relevant laboratory experiments without knowing the thermal limits for our specific population. Therefore, our objectives were to determine the optimal conditions for a zebra mussel population at Banner Marsh by linking growth (shell size, shell mass, and tissue mass) to environmental parameters (water quality, food quantity, and temperature). Field enclosures were deployed for a period of four weeks in May and again in mid-June. Within each enclosure mussels were either clumped or divided into individual chambers. On average, mussels experienced greater shell growth and lower tissue loss when they were housed individually, suggesting that clumping behavior negatively impacts growth. Also, mussels experienced greater shell growth and lower tissue loss in May than in June. While water quality and food quantity varied over time, conditions remained within optimal limits. Since temperatures regularly exceeded 31°C in June and July, the relatively poorer performance in June and July may be attributed to greater temperature stress. We are currently measuring the levels of two cellular stress markers to determine the role of cellular physiology in this response.
