Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Feedback Between Zebra Mussel Selective Feeding And Algal Composition Affects Mussel Condition: Did The Regime Changer Pay A Price For Its Success?, Henry A. Vanderploeg, Thomas H. Johengen, James R. Liebig

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

1. We investigated the role of algal composition on pumping, clearance, assimilation, pseudofaeces and faeces production, feeding time budgets, and condition of zebra mussels from spring to autumn at two sites in Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron) and one site in western Lake Erie. Size-fractioned chlorophyll was used to distinguish between feeding on small (<53 >µm) and large (>53 µm) size fractions, and mussel feeding behaviour was quantified by video observations.

2. Mussel pumping, clearance and assimilation rates varied among sites, particularly during summer, when phytoplankton composition varied considerably among sites. Lowest values were seen at the inner-bay site of …