A dominance shift from the zebra mussel to the invasive quagga mussel may alter the trophic transfer of metals. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Matthews, Jonathan; Schipper, Aafke M.; Hendriks, A. Jan; Yen Le, T.T.; bij de Vaate, Abraham; van der Velde, Gerard; Leuven, Rob S.E.W.
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 203(2015)
• Page Start: 183
• Page End: 190
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Food-web -- Non-native -- Species replacement -- Dreissenids -- Predators; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.03.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Bioinvasions are a major cause of biodiversity and ecosystem changes. The rapid range expansion of the invasive quagga mussel ( Dreissena rostriformis bugensis ) causing a dominance shift from zebra mussels ( Dreissena polymorpha ) to quagga mussels, may alter the risk of secondary poisoning to predators. Mussel samples were collected from various water bodies in the Netherlands, divided into size classes, and analysed for metal concentrations. Concentrations of nickel and copper in quagga mussels were significantly lower than in zebra mussels overall. In lakes, quagga mussels contained significantly higher concentrations of aluminium, iron and lead yet significantly lower concentrations of zinc 66, cadmium 111, copper, nickel, cobalt and molybdenum than zebra mussels. In the river water type quagga mussel soft tissues contained significantly lower concentrations of zinc 66 . Our results suggest that a dominance shift from zebra to quagga mussels may reduce metal exposure of predator species. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Invading quagga mussels often displace existing zebra mussels. Interspecies difference in metal concentration may alter exposure of predators. Zebra and quagga mussel soft tissue were analysed for metal concentrations. Generally, quagga mussels contained lower concentrations of metals. A dominance shift to quagga mussels may reduce metal exposure of predators. Abstract : A shift in dominance from zebra mussels to invading quagga mussels may reduce the transfer of metals to predator species.