Dreissena rostriformis bugensis


Similar Species
- Zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha
History
- Native to Ukraine
- Initial introduction believed to be the result of ballast water discharge from transoceanic ships
- Since being first discovered in Great Lakes in 1988-89, the species has spread widely into freshwater habitats across North America
- Slowly dominating over zebra mussel in US and Europe
Characteristics
- Bi-valve up to 1.5 inches (4 cm)
- Shell usually has dark concentric rings; color is paler near the hinge
- When laid on edge, quagga shell topples over whereas the zebra shell is stable
- Valves (shell halves) are asymmetrical forming a curved line when valves are closed
Habitat
- Lakes, estuaries, streams
- Can colonize both hard and soft substrata
- Tolerate salinity to 6 ppt, temperatures to approximately 29 degrees C
- Quagga mussel can live at greater depths than zebra mussel
Known Distribution in the Northeast
- New York, Massachusetts, and the St. Lawrence River as far north as Quebec City
Impacts
- Voracious filter feeders, removing microscopic plants and animals from the water, reducing food available to other aquatic animals
- May cause declines in fish populations
- Clog intakes for power plants, industrial facilities, and public drinking water supplies
- Heavily colonize both hard and soft surfaces including beaches, boat hulls, docks, etc.
- High potential for rapid adaptation to extreme environmental conditions
- Economic impacts in the billions of dollars