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Hydrodynamic Forces Affect Larval Zebra Mussel (Dreissena Polymorpha) Mortality In A Laboratory Setting, Thomas Horvath, Lori Crane

School of Natural Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Mortality of zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, larvae was quantified in a laboratory experiment that was designed to assess the role played by both intensity and duration of the exposure to hydrodynamic forces. Larvae were collected in a plankton net and distributed in 100-ml aliquots to 125-ml Erlenmeyer flasks. The flasks were spun on an orbital shaker at different speeds, 100 rpm and 400 rpm, to change the intensity of the hydrodynamic forces experienced by larvae inside the flasks. Actual shear forces were not quantified. A parallel set of control flasks were not spun. Flasks were spun for 1, 24 and …