Zebra mussels at the freshwater/sea interface: Ionic and osmotic challenges to oocyte integrity

The zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, is a highly prolific biofouling freshwater mollusk accidentally introduced into North America in the 1980s. Understanding its reproductive mechanisms may give insight into its dispersion, adaptive mechanisms, and possible control methods. The spread of zebra m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Invertebrate reproduction & development 2004-03, Vol.45 (1), p.83-89
Main Authors: RAM, JEFFREY L., SHUKLA, VIPUL, KING, KEYONA N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Dreissena polymorpha
Freshwater
Oocytes
osmotic effects
salinity
zebra mussels
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Summary:The zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, is a highly prolific biofouling freshwater mollusk accidentally introduced into North America in the 1980s. Understanding its reproductive mechanisms may give insight into its dispersion, adaptive mechanisms, and possible control methods. The spread of zebra mussels into tidal regions and estuaries could be affected by the responses of zebra mussel gametes to seawater. This study investigated the effect of dilute seawater (Instant Ocean, IO) and several of its components on zebra mussel oocyte viability. Zebra mussels were induced to spawn with serotonin. Oocytes exposed to various concentrations of IO or its component ions began to break down within 3 h, usually after a latency of 1-2 h. The percentages of oocytes fragmenting after 3-h exposure to low IO concentration were: control, 11±3%; 2% IO, 18±2%; 5% IO, 47±4%; and 10% IO, 53±4% (ANOVA, p
ISSN:0792-4259
0168-8170
2157-0272
DOI:10.1080/07924259.2004.9652575