the invasion of dreissenid mussels into lake simcoe and their effect on benthic invertebrates
abstract
the establishment of dreissenid mussels (zebra mussel, dreissena polymorpha
and the quagga mussel dreissena rostriformis bugensis) in lake simcoe in 1997 and
2008, respectively, in lake simcoe has drastically altered the benthic invertebrate
community in the lake. non-dreissenid benthic invertebrate abundance greatly
declined in the year 2009 during the quagga mussel invasion, whereas dreissenid
abundance increased greatly in the same time period. pre-invasion abundance of
gastropods, amphipoda, oligliochaetes, plecypoda and chironomids followed similar
density patterns after zebra mussel establishment. a decline in several taxa to
undetectable densities was found post-quagga mussel invasion, except for
chironomids. these changes in benthic communities have likely impacted fish
populations because fish had to shift to hard shelled food sources possibly causing
decreased fish health and decreased individual growth, a direct result of the zebra
mussel as they invade shallower depths. the gastropod and chironomid populations
were able to slightly increase their populations in 2017, facilitated by an increase in
quagga mussels. water quality of lake simcoe has also likely been negatively impacted
by dreissenid mussel establishment, given changes in benthic community, oxygen
presence, and nutrients available.
collections
- undergraduate theses [325]