Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are one of the most widespread invasive freshwater animals in the world. MAISRC hired the state's first dedicated zebra mussel researcher in 2012. Since then, research efforts have intensified and expanded to use the most technologically advanced resources available. 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
- Determined the risk of transporting live zebra mussels in the residual water of recreational boats to reduce the risk of spread
- 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
Completed projects
- 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
Additional information from MAISRC
- Predicting the spread of invasive species to improve prevention
- New tool improves AIS prevention efforts for lakes across Minnesota
- Big lake, small mussels: estimating size and distribution of zebra mussel populations
- New project launched to determine impacts of AIS on walleye
- Residual water study looks at zebra mussel veliger transport
- Genetic research fills out map of zebra mussels’ spread in Minnesota
- First hurdle cleared in search for microbial biocontrol agents against AIS
- Early detection tool developed for invasive mussels and their larvae
- Developing rapid response protocols for zebra mussel treatment
- MAISRC launches research with Tonka Bay Marina, Brunswick Freshwater Boat Group, and DNR to help reduce zebra mussel spread
- New findings affirm risk of zebra mussel spread through downstream drift
- Major milestone reached in effort to sequence the draft zebra mussel genome
- MAISRC is a Watershed Hero, thanks to Minnehaha Creek Watershed District!
- Lessons learned at Christmas Lake
- Zebra mussel research finishes first field season
- Seminar Announcement: Zebra Mussels in Mille Lacs
- Zebra mussel research launched
Ongoing research
- Identifying markers in the genome to target for control
- 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 zebra mussels on walleye and their food webs in large lakes in order to identify management strategies
- 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
- Sustaining walleye populations: assessing impacts of AIS
- Decision-making tool for optimal management of AIS
- Cost-effective monitoring of lakes newly infested with zebra mussels
- Field evaluation of toxicity of low-dose molluscicide treatments for zebra mussel veligers
- 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
- Estimating overland transport frequencies of invasive zebra mussels
- Metagenomic approaches to develop biological control strategies for aquatic invasive species
- Temperature-dependent toxicity of molluscicides to zebra mussels
Related news stories
- 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
- 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
Researchers
Tyler Ahrenstorff • Bethany Bethke • Valerie Brady • Donn Branstrator • Matteo Convertino • Adam Doll • Josh Dumke • Jake Ferguson • John Fieberg • William French • Robert Haight • Gretchen Hansen • Jodie Hirsch • Katya Kovalenko • James Luoma • Ryan Maki • Prince Mathai • Michael McCartney • Nicholas Phelps • Heidi Rantala • Michael Sadowsky
