Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are one of the most widespread invasive freshwater animals in the world. Research at MAISRC focuses on finding effective and efficient ways to control them, establishing how they're spreading to better target prevention efforts, and informing management by developing early detection methods and creating survey protocols. Click here to learn more about zebra mussels and their impacts.
Key findings and accomplishments
- Completed sequencing of a draft genome of the zebra mussel in order to isolate markers to study spread and explore possible genetic weaknesses that can be targeted for control
- Released an important white paper outlining treatment options for the eradication of limited-scale zebra mussel infestations at various water temperatures
- Completed a predictive risk model for zebra mussels and starry stonewort to inform decision-making and prioritize prevention activities for all Minnesota lakes
- Identified where on a boat zebra mussels may be hiding to recommend decontamination techniques and watercraft redesign options
- Identified the lowest effective dilution of antifreeze and the shortest period of contact time required to effectively kill zebra mussels during boat winterization
- Established best practices for using EarthTec QZ, a commercially available molluscicide, to control populations by suppressing veligers
- Wrote monitoring protocols to help lake managers plan treatments and monitor outcomes
- Developed rapid response toolkit to treat localized zebra mussel infestations based on water temperature and size of infestation. The protocols provide managers with a critical support tool to swiftly select the correct molluscicide, determine the treatment concentration, and determine the treatment duration
- Developed an early detection tool that simultaneously detects the presence of zebra mussels, quagga mussels, and their microscopic larvae with just one lake water sample
- Characterized the entire microbial community associated with zebra mussels in order to find pathogenic microbes and isolate them for biocontrol
- Established how far zebra mussel larvae can spread down small rivers and streams. Research showed that settlement of mussels occurs only a short distance down from the upstream lake. Small streams can carry large numbers of larvae, but only down short (<10 miles) stretches of streams
- Identified zebra mussel hotspots based on environmental variables and potential spread pathways
Published papers
- Walleye growth declines following zebra mussel and Bythotrephes invasion
- The Genome of the Zebra Mussel, Dreissena polymorpha: A Resource for Invasive Species Research
- Water and sediment act as reservoirs for microbial taxa associated with invasive dreissenid mussels
- Using distance sampling to estimate densities of Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in early-stage invasion
- Treatment options for the eradication of limited-scale zebra mussel infestations at various water temperatures
- Effects of temperature and exposure duration on four potential rapid-response tools for zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) eradication
Completed projects
- Temperature-dependent toxicity of molluscicides to zebra mussels
- Decision-making tool for optimal management of AIS
- Cost-effective monitoring of lakes newly infested with zebra mussels
- Metagenomic approaches to develop biological control strategies for aquatic invasive species
- Estimating overland transport frequencies of invasive zebra mussels
- Evaluating boat cleaning station efficacy on the removal of residual water from recreational boats
- Zebra, quagga, and native mussel research efforts on the St. Croix Scenic Riverway and Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
- Genome sequencing and analysis to select target genes and strategies for genetic biocontrol
- Toxicity of antifreeze to zebra and quagga mussels
- Recognizing high-risk areas for zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil invasions in Minnesota
- Developing and testing a new molecular assay for early detection of zebra mussel veligers
- Creation of survey and monitoring protocols, and development of a research program for studying the effectiveness of zebra mussel pesticide treatment efforts
- Evaluating zebra mussel spread pathways and mechanisms in order to prevent further spread
- Eco-epidemiological model to assess aquatic invasive species management
Ongoing research
- Evaluating the efficacy of low-dose copper treatments to control zebra mussel populations by targeted suppression of the early life stages
- Test the utility of swath mapping systems such as multibeam sonar for detecting and quantifying the abundance of zebra mussels at a very large scale
- Developing recommendations for underwater survey methods to estimate zebra mussel population abundance and distribution in newly infested lakes which will guide treatment options and post-treatment monitoring
- Quantifying the impacts of spiny waterflea on walleye growth rates and food webs. Initial findings show that walleye in their first year grow more slowly in lakes invaded by zebra mussels and spiny waterflea than in uninvaded lakes
- Identifying pathogenic microbes (viruses and bacteria) associated with zebra mussels and evaluating their specificity and effectiveness as biocontrol agents
- Developing a decision-making tool that will help AIS managers, counties, and other agencies prioritize their resources for optimal prevention and intervention of AIS, including zebra mussels. This tool will take into account the likelihood of a species getting to a lake and its likelihood of survival, based on several variables including temperature, pH, and precipitation
- Determining the sources of new invasions in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Current projects
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RNA-interference screens for zebra mussel biocontrol target genes
- Copper-based control: zebra mussel settlement and nontarget impacts
- Evaluating innovative coatings to suppress priority AIS
- Public values of aquatic invasive species management
- Early detection of zebra mussels using multibeam sonar
- A novel technology for eDNA collection and concentration
- Sustaining walleye populations: assessing impacts of AIS
Related news stories
- Surf's up on Minnesota's hottest lake sport, but not everyone's on board
- Minnesota scientists map zebra mussel genome. Now to cripple them.
- Zebra mussels research project planned for Lake Minnetonka this summer
- St. Alban’s, Robinson’s bays will be site of zebra mussel research project
- U of Minnesota Fights Back Against Zebra Mussels
- Zebra mussels’ best friend: wakeboard boats, new U study finds. Livewells also tested.
- New boat designs could help stop spread of aquatic invasive species
- Researchers find new methods to combat invasive zebra mussels
- U of M studies bacteria to kill zebra mussels
- Researchers: Invasive Mussels Not Widespread In Apostle Islands Of Lake Superior
- Reporting From The Future: SubSurface Episode 1
- Zebra mussel lessons: Garfield Lake residents addressing infestation; genetics tracking AIS spread
- DNR launches high-tech study of food webs in Minnesota's largest walleye lakes
- Minnesota scientists dive deep to learn why walleye are stressed
- Meet the scientists working to stop spread of zebra mussels
- How the zebra mussel scourge spread across Minnesota
- Out-musseling the mussels: Researcher hopeful of new tactic against invasive species
- Lake Minnetonka zebra mussel project continues
- Minnesota researchers first to try new method to kill zebra mussels
- Researchers target zebra mussel young
- Researchers test new method to control zebra mussel population on Lake Minnetonka
- Researchers continue testing new zebra mussel control method
- Lake Minnetonka zebra mussel study tests population control
- Battle against aquatic invasive species on Lake Minnetonka continues
- Promising Zebra Mussel Treatment In Lake Minnetonka Targets Larvae
- Researchers test new approach to control zebra mussel population
- Researchers target zebra mussel larvae in new study
- New tactic in the fight against zebra mussels will be tested on Lake Minnetonka
- Changing up the fight against zebra mussels in Lake Minnetonka
- Researchers Study Invasive Mussels Near Apostle Islands On Lake Superior
- U research targets zebra mussels
- Hitchhikers: The unintentional transportation of zebra mussels
- Battling Aquatic Invasive Species
- Why Researchers Want to Look Inside Your Boat this Summer
- DNR begins zebra mussel pilot project treatment
- Christmas Lake holds off zebra mussel spread
- U of M lab mapping DNA of zebra mussels to slow spread
- Researchers sequence mussel DNA
- Researchers to try to map genome of zebra mussel
- We don't have to panic over zebra mussels
- Looking for a new method to fight invasive species
Research Fellows and Graduate Fellows
