A dominance shift from the zebra mussel to the invasive quagga mussel may alter the trophic transfer of metals.
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 zinc66, cadmium111, copper, nickel, cobalt and molybdenum than zebra mussels. In the river water type quagga mussel soft tissues contained significantly lower concentrations of zinc66. Our results suggest that a dominance shift from zebra to quagga mussels may reduce metal exposure of predator species.
['Matthews|Jonathan|J|', 'Schipper|Aafke M|AM|', 'Hendriks|A Jan|AJ|', 'Yen Le|T T|TT|', 'Bij de Vaate|Abraham|A|', 'van der Velde|Gerard|G|', 'Leuven|Rob S E W|RSEW|']
D000818:Animals D049875:Dreissena D004784:Environmental Monitoring D020387:Food Chain D005618:Fresh Water D058865:Introduced Species D019216:Metals, Heavy D009426:Netherlands D011157:Population Dynamics D018570:Risk Assessment D045483:Rivers D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Predators Dreissenids Food-web Non-native Species replacement