''Dreissena'' is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...
of small freshwater
mussels in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
Dreissenidae
The Dreissenidae are a family of small freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve molluscs. They attach themselves to stones or to any other hard surface using a byssus. The shells of these bivalves are shaped somewhat like those of true mussels, and ...
in the class Bivalvia. They are found attached to firm substrates by threads from underneath the shells and are the only freshwater bivalves to attach to hard substrates in high densities while having a planktonic larval stage. They are considered the most aggressive freshwater invader in the world because of their ability to invade environments in every one of their life cycle.
Description
![Dreissena polymorpha1](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/Dreissena_polymorpha1.jpg)
''Dreissena'' have prominent dark and light banding on the shell but can have many different variations. The outer covering is a well polished light tan color with dark bands that can either be smooth or zigzagging in shape. The shell shape is either trigonal or triangular with sharply pointed umbos. Under the umbos is the hinge plate that is broad and well developed. A ridge runs from umbos to the posterior point forming a shoulder. The byssal threads are secreted by the byssal gland posterior to the food.
Location
Native to the Black, Caspian and Azov Seas. Originally found in Ukraine and Southeast Russia but have spread worldwide via ballast water and on the hull of boats, and are now in North America in the Great Lakes. They prefer large estuaries and inland waters, rivers and lakes, and require firm surfaces for attachments. Freshwater lakes with ''Dreissana'' are mesotrophic - high pH, moderate alkalinity, and have moderate amounts of dissolved minerals. They are almost always benthic but can have pelagic larvae that get carried in the currents.
Distribution
''Dreissena'' are able to travel in each stage of their life cycle. They can attach to firm surfaces, like boat hulls, and travel far distances. Once at a new location they reproduce quickly and become invasive.
Reproduction
The oogenesis stage first occurs in autumn. The eggs develop and are fertilized in the spring with warmer weather. Eggs are expelled by females in their second year of life and are fertilized outside of the body by males. Spawning season first begins when the water temperatures increase to 12 degrees Celsius and the eggs are generally released when the water reaches 17-18 degrees Celsius. The optimal temperature for larval development is 20-22 degrees Celsius. Over 40,000 eggs can be laid in one cycle and both eggs and larvae are dispersed through water currents and winds at lakes/ponds. The settling stage is when they attach to a substrate with byssal threads secreted by the byssal gland. There is an extremely high mortality at this stage (99%) if they do not attach to sturdy substrates. The lifespan is 3-9 years and their growth rates are .5mm a day and 1.5-2 cm a year.
Diet
![Valve-InternalView](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Valve-InternalView.png)
''Dreissena'' are filter feeders. They have both inhalant and exhalant siphons that are able to filter one Liter of water per day. They feed primarily on algae. They are able to eat microzooplankton but nothing larger.
Invasion
They are one of the top invasive marine species. They have high biofouling capabilities where they can colonize water supply pipes of hydroelectric and nuclear power plants, public water plants, and industrial facilities. This can cause serious problems as they constrict water flow in the pipes. They can also colonize on the hull of boats which cause drag. Also, when they arrive in a new area they are able to outcompete the native organisms for food. This causes a change in the ecosystem of this new area. The invasion of North America was facilitated by the ability to disperse in all stages of the life cycle: passive drift of pelagic larval, yearlings detach and drift, adults attach to boat hulls and other floating objects.
Species
Possible list of species within the genus ''Dreissena'':
[The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. . Downloaded on 12 September 2014.]
* ''
Dreissena blanci
''Dreissena carinata'' is a species of bivalves belonging to the family Dreissenidae.
Per IUCN
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN; officially International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) is an ...
''
* ''
Dreissena bugensis'', the
quagga mussel
The quagga mussel (''Dreissena rostriformis'', also known as ''Dreissena bugensis'' or ''Dreissena rostriformis bugensis'') is a species (or subspecies) of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Dreissenidae. It has an aver ...
(sometimes considered a subspecies of ''D. rostriformis'')
* ''
Dreissena caspia''
** ''
Dreissena caspia caspia''
** ''
Dreissena caspia pallasi''
* ''
Dreissena elata elata
''Dreissena'' is a genus of small freshwater mussels in the family Dreissenidae in the class Bivalvia. They are found attached to firm substrates by threads from underneath the shells and are the only freshwater bivalves to attach to hard subst ...
''
* ''
Dreissena obtusecarinata''
* ''
Dreissena polymorpha
The zebra mussel (''Dreissena polymorpha'') is a small freshwater mussel. The species originates from the lakes of southern Russia and Ukraine, but has been accidentally introduced to numerous other areas and has become an invasive species in ma ...
'', the
zebra mussel
The zebra mussel (''Dreissena polymorpha'') is a small freshwater mussel. The species originates from the lakes of southern Russia and Ukraine, but has been accidentally introduced to numerous other areas and has become an invasive species in ma ...
** ''
Dreissena polymorpha polymorpha
''Dreissena'' is a genus of small freshwater mussels in the family Dreissenidae in the class Bivalvia. They are found attached to firm substrates by threads from underneath the shells and are the only freshwater bivalves to attach to hard subst ...
''
** ''
Dreissena polymorpha andrusovi
''Dreissena'' is a genus of small freshwater mussels in the family Dreissenidae in the class Bivalvia. They are found attached to firm substrates by threads from underneath the shells and are the only freshwater bivalves to attach to hard subst ...
''
* ''
Dreissena presbensis
''Dreissena'' is a genus of small freshwater mussels in the family Dreissenidae in the class Bivalvia. They are found attached to firm substrates by threads from underneath the shells and are the only freshwater bivalves to attach to hard subst ...
''
* ''
Dreissena rostiformis
''Dreissena'' is a genus of small freshwater mussels in the family Dreissenidae in the class Bivalvia. They are found attached to firm substrates by threads from underneath the shells and are the only freshwater bivalves to attach to hard subst ...
''
** ''
Dreissena rostriformis compressa
''Dreissena'' is a genus of small freshwater mussels in the family Dreissenidae in the class Bivalvia. They are found attached to firm substrates by threads from underneath the shells and are the only freshwater bivalves to attach to hard subst ...
''
** ''
Dreissena rostriformis distincta
'' Dreissena rostriformis distincta '' is a (possible) subspecies of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Dreissenidae
The Dreissenidae are a family of small freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve molluscs. They attach ...
''
** ''
Dreissena rostriformis grimmi
''Dreissena'' is a genus of small freshwater mussels in the family Dreissenidae in the class Bivalvia. They are found attached to firm substrates by threads from underneath the shells and are the only freshwater bivalves to attach to hard subst ...
''
** ''
Dreissena rostriformis pontocaspica
''Dreissena'' is a genus of small freshwater mussels in the family Dreissenidae in the class Bivalvia. They are found attached to firm substrates by threads from underneath the shells and are the only freshwater bivalves to attach to hard subst ...
''
* ''
Dreissena stankovici
''Dreissena carinata'' is a species of bivalves belonging to the family Dreissenidae
The Dreissenidae are a family of small freshwater mussels, aquatic bivalve molluscs. They attach themselves to stones or to any other hard surface using a ...
''
References
* Benson, A.J., Raikow, D., Larson, J., Fusaro, A., Bogdanoff, A.K., and Elgin, A., 2022, ''Dreissena polymorpha'' (Pallas, 1771): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL,
https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=5, Revision Date: 5/17/2021, Access Date: 4/7/2022
* Kijashko, P. "Check-list for Caspian Sea molluscs". Caspian Sea Biodiversity Project under umbrella of Caspian Sea Environment Program.
* Kantor, Y.I.; M.V. Vinarski; A.A. Schileyko; A.V. Sysoev (2010). "Catalogue of the Continental Mollusks of Russia and Adjacent Territories" (PDF). ''Ruthenica, Russian Malacological Journal (Online Version)''.
ISSN
An International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) is an eight-digit serial number used to uniquely identify a serial publication, such as a magazine. The ISSN is especially helpful in distinguishing between serials with the same title. ISSNs ...
2307-7336. Retrieved 2014-06-24.
* The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2.
. Downloaded on 12 September 2014.
* "Taxon Details: ''Dreissena'' Van Beneden 1835". Fauna Europaea Fauna Europaea is a database of the scientific names and distribution of all living multicellular Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight o ...
. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
* Rasa Bukontaite, Klaipedos Universiteto, jaun. mokslo darbuotoja, Baltijos pajurio aplinkos, tyrimu ir planavimo, LT-92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania Anastasija Zaiko, Klaipeda University, Coastal Research and Planning Institute, H. Manto 84, Klaipeda, LT-92294, Lithuania
*
{{Taxonbar, from=Q4998707
Dreissenidae
Bivalve genera