Ecology of the Zebra Mussel, Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771)

Abstract

Dreissena polymorpha je vrsta slatkovodnog školjkaša kojeg je 1771. godine opisao biolog Peter Pallas. Velika brzina rasta, velika plodnost i kratak životni vijek čine ju uspješnom invazivnom vrstom. Ovaj školjkaš može uzrokovati promjene u slatkovodnim staništima i ekonomske štete na objektima. Ljudi su svojim postupcima uvelike utjecali na rasprostiranje vrste D. polymorpha. Prvotno endem Kaspijskog i Crnog mora, postaje najprisutnijom vrstom u velikim rijekama, jezerima i kanalima Europe i Sjeverne Amerike. Vrsta D. polymorpha nije pronađena u jezerima koja imaju vrijednosti pH manje od 7.3 i koncentracije kalcija manje od 28.3 mg/L. Mnogo je predatora koji se hrane ovom vrstom, primjerice mnoge vrste riba i ptica močvarica. Jedinke vrste D. polymorpha pročišćavaju vodu kopnenih jezera, što rezultira boljom propusnošću svjetlosti i bržim rastom algi. Kloriranje je najučinkovitija i najčešće korištena metoda za kontroliranje školjkaša u Europi, Aziji i Americi.Dreissena polymorpha, a species of small freshwater mussel, was described 1771 by biologist Peter Pallas. High growth rate troughout life, elevated fecundity, and short life span make D. plymorpha a highly invasive species. This mussel can cause changes in freshwater communities and economic damage to man-made structures. Human activity has strongly influenced D. polymorpha distribution. Originally endemic to the basins of the Black and Caspian Seas, is one of most commonly occurring mussel species in the large rivers, lakes and canals of Europe and North America. D. polymorpha was not found in lakes with average pH values bellow 7.3 and concentrations of calcium bellow 28.3 mg/L. They are a number of natural predators of zebra mussel, like fish and waterfowl. Zebra mussels clean the waters of inland lakes, resulting in increase sunlight penetration and growth of native algae. Chlorination is the most effective and commonly used method of mussel control in Europe, Asia and North America