Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Marine and Freshwater Research Marine and Freshwater Research Society
Advances in the aquatic sciences
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Effects of a native New Zealand freshwater mussel on zooplankton assemblages, including non-native Daphnia: a mesocosm experiment

Ian C. Duggan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6037-9759 A D , Anita A. C. Pearson https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9815-7505 A C and Ian A. Kusabs https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1473-7447 B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Te Aka Mātuatua – School of Science, Environmental Research Institute, The University of Waikato, Private Bag 3015, Hamilton, 3216, New Zealand.

B Ian Kusabs and Associates, 21 Summit Road, Lake Ōkāreka, Rotorua, 3076, New Zealand.

C Present address: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, PO Box 11115, Hamilton, 3216, New Zealand.

D Corresponding author. Email: i.duggan@waikato.ac.nz

Marine and Freshwater Research 72(5) 709-717 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF20116
Submitted: 20 April 2020  Accepted: 22 September 2020   Published: 30 November 2020

Abstract

Few studies have examined the effects of freshwater mussels on zooplankton in their native regions. We undertook an outdoor mesocosm-scale experiment to examine the effects of Echyridella menziesii, an endemic New Zealand mussel, on zooplankton composition. Experiments were undertaken in 125-L cylindrical drums that were randomly separated into the following three groups: seven control tanks with no mussels, seven treatment tanks with five mussels, and seven treatment tanks with 10 mussels each. Tanks were seeded with algae and zooplankton from a variety of small local water bodies, and monitored on Days 0, 5, 14 and 42. ANOSIM indicated that zooplankton composition among control and treatment tanks differed from Day 5 onward. Small, planktonic rotifers were commonly found to be most greatly affected by the presence of freshwater mussels. Benthic rotifers and larger crustacean zooplankton were typically unaffected or favoured when mussels were present. Overall, our results are consistent with removal of zooplankton by filtration, rather than competition for resources, being the primary driver of mussel influence on zooplankton community composition.

Keywords: bivalve, Echyridella menziesii, filtration, unionid, predation.


References

Arnott, D. L., and Vanni, M. J. (1996). Nitrogen and phosphorus recycling by zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in the western basin of Lake Erie. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 53, 646–659.
Nitrogen and phosphorus recycling by zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in the western basin of Lake Erie.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Balvert, S. F., Duggan, I. C., and Hogg, I. D. (2009). Zooplankton seasonal dynamics in a recently filled mine pit lake: the effect of non-indigenous Daphnia establishment. Aquatic Ecology 43, 403–413.
Zooplankton seasonal dynamics in a recently filled mine pit lake: the effect of non-indigenous Daphnia establishment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bayly, I. A. E. (1992). ‘Non-Marine Centropagidae (Copepoda: Calanoida) of the World. Guides to the Identification of the Microinvertebrates of the Continental Waters of the World 2.’ (SPB Academic Publishing: The Hague, Netherlands.)

Butterworth, J. (2008). Lake Rotokakahi: the kakahi (Hyridella menziesi) in a general framework of lake health. M.Sc. Thesis, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand.

Chapman, M. A., Lewis, M. H., and Winterbourn, M. J. (2011). ‘Guide to the Freshwater Crustacea of New Zealand.’ (New Zealand Freshwater Sciences Society: Christchurch, New Zealand).

Clarke, K. R., and Warwick, R. M. (1994). ‘Change in Marine Communities: an Approach to Statistical Analysis and Interpretation’, 2nd edn. (Plymouth Marine Laboratory, National Research Council: Plymouth, UK.)

Conroy, J. D., Edwards, W. J., Pontius, R. A., Kane, D. D., Zhang, H., Shea, J. F., Richey, J. N., and Culver, D. A. (2005). Soluble nitrogen and phosphorus excretion of exotic freshwater mussels (Dreissena spp.): potential impacts for nutrient remineralisation in western Lake Erie. Freshwater Biology 50, 1146–1162.
Soluble nitrogen and phosphorus excretion of exotic freshwater mussels (Dreissena spp.): potential impacts for nutrient remineralisation in western Lake Erie.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Duggan, I. C. (2001). The ecology of periphytic rotifers. Hydrobiologia 446/447, 139–148.
The ecology of periphytic rotifers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Duggan, I. C., Green, J. D., and Burger, D. F. (2006). First New Zealand records of three non-indigenous zooplankton species: Skistodiaptomus pallidus, Sinodiaptomus valkanovi and Daphnia dentifera. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 40, 561–569.
First New Zealand records of three non-indigenous zooplankton species: Skistodiaptomus pallidus, Sinodiaptomus valkanovi and Daphnia dentifera.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Haag, W. R., and Williams, J. D. (2014). Biodiversity on the brink: an assessment of conservation strategies for North American freshwater mussels. Hydrobiologia 735, 45–60.
Biodiversity on the brink: an assessment of conservation strategies for North American freshwater mussels.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

James, M. R. (1985). Distribution, biomass and production of the freshwater mussel, Hyridella menziesi (Gray), in Lake Taupo, New Zealand. Freshwater Biology 15, 307–314.
Distribution, biomass and production of the freshwater mussel, Hyridella menziesi (Gray), in Lake Taupo, New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

James, M. R. (1987). Ecology of the freshwater mussel Hyridella menziesi (Gray) in a small oligotrophic lake. Archiv für Hydrobiologie 108, 337–348.

Kissman, C. E. H., Knoll, L. B., and Sarnelle, O. (2010). Dreissenid mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis) reduce microzooplankton and macrozooplankton biomass in thermally stratified lakes. Limnology and Oceanography 55, 1851–1859.
Dreissenid mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis) reduce microzooplankton and macrozooplankton biomass in thermally stratified lakes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Koste, W. (1978). ‘Rotatoria, Die Radertiere Mitteleuropas: Uberordnung Monogononta.’ (Gebruder Borntraeger: Berlin, Germany.)

Lopes‐Lima, M., Sousa, R., Geist, J., Aldridge, D. C., Araujo, R., Bergengren, J., Bespalaya, Y., Bódis, E., Burlakova, L., Van Damme, D., Douda, K., Froufe, E., Georgiev, D., Gumpinger, C., Karatayev, A., Kebapçi, Ü., Killeen, I., Lajtner, J., Larsen, B. M., Lauceri, R., Legakis, A., Lois, S., Lundberg, S., Moorkens, E., Motte, G., Nagel, K., Ondina, P., Outeiro, A., Paunovic, M., Prie, V., von Proschwitz, T., Riccardi, N., Rudzite, M., Rudzitis, M., Scheder, C., Seddon, M., Sereflişan, H., Simić, V., Sokolova, S., Stoeckl, S., Taskinen, J., Teixeira, A., Thielen, F., Trichkova, T., Varandas, S., Vicentini, H., Zajac, K., Zajac, T., and Zogaris, S. (2017). Conservation status of freshwater mussels in Europe: state of the art and future challenges. Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society 92, 572–607.
Conservation status of freshwater mussels in Europe: state of the art and future challenges.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26727244PubMed |

Lopes-Lima, M., Burlakova, L. E., Karatayev, A. Y., Mehler, K., Seddon, M., and Sousa, R. (2018). Conservation of freshwater bivalves at the global scale: diversity, threats and research needs. Hydrobiologia 810, 1–14.
Conservation of freshwater bivalves at the global scale: diversity, threats and research needs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

MacIsaac, H. J., Sprules, W. G., and Leach, J. H. (1991). Ingestion of small-bodied zooplankton by zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha): can cannibalism on larvae influence population-dynamics. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 48, 2051–2060.
Ingestion of small-bodied zooplankton by zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha): can cannibalism on larvae influence population-dynamics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

MacIsaac, H. J., Lonnee, C. J., and Leach, J. H. (1995). Suppression of microzooplankton by zebra mussels: importance of mussel size. Freshwater Biology 34, 379–387.
Suppression of microzooplankton by zebra mussels: importance of mussel size.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Marroni, S., Mazzeo, N., Pacheco, J. P., Clemente, J., and Iglesias, C. (2017). Interactions between bivalves and zooplankton: competition or intraguild predation? Implications for biomanipulation in subtropical shallow lakes. Marine and Freshwater Research 68, 1036–1043.
Interactions between bivalves and zooplankton: competition or intraguild predation? Implications for biomanipulation in subtropical shallow lakes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Marshall, B. A., Fenwick, M. C., and Ritchie, P. A. (2014). New Zealand recent Hyriidae (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionida). Molluscan Research 34, 181–200.
New Zealand recent Hyriidae (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionida).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

McDowall, R. M. (2011). ‘Ikawai: Freshwater Fishes in Māori Culture and Economy.’ (Canterbury University Press, Christchurch, New Zealand).

Mellina, E., Rasmussen, J. B., and Mills, E. L. (1995). Impact of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) on phosphorus cycling and chlorophyll in lakes. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 52, 2553–2573.
Impact of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) on phosphorus cycling and chlorophyll in lakes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Molina, F. R., De Paggi, S. J., and Boltovskoy, D. (2011). Vulnerability of microcrustaceans to predation by the invasive filter-feeding mussel Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker). Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology 44, 329–338.
Vulnerability of microcrustaceans to predation by the invasive filter-feeding mussel Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Molina, F. R., De Paggi, S. J., and Frau, D. (2012). Impacts of the invading golden mussel Limnoperna fortunei on zooplankton: a mesocosm experiment. Zoological Studies 51, 733–744.

Moore, T. P., Collier, K. J., and Duggan, I. C. (2019). Interactions between Unionida and non-native species: a global meta-analysis. Aquatic Conservation 29, 1438–1451.
Interactions between Unionida and non-native species: a global meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Pearson, A. A. C., and Duggan, I. C. (2019). Echyridella menziesii (Bivalvia: Hyriidae) as a predator of zooplankton of different sizes; are large non-indigenous Daphnia a potential food source? New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 53, 327–337.
Echyridella menziesii (Bivalvia: Hyriidae) as a predator of zooplankton of different sizes; are large non-indigenous Daphnia a potential food source?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Pearson, A. A. C., and Duggan, I. C. (2020). Dividing the algal soup: is there niche separation between native bivalves (Echyridella menziesii) and non-native Daphnia pulex in New Zealand? New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 54, 45–59.
Dividing the algal soup: is there niche separation between native bivalves (Echyridella menziesii) and non-native Daphnia pulex in New Zealand?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Rainforth, H. J. (2008). Tiakina kia ora: protecting our freshwater mussels. M.Sc. Thesis, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.

Shevtsova, L. V., Zhdanona, G. A., Movchan, V. A., and Primak, A. V. (1986). Experimental interrelationship between Dreissena and planktonic invertebrates. Hydrobiological Journal 22, 36–39.

Shiel, R. J. (1995). ‘A Guide to Identification of Rotifers, Cladocerans and Copepods from Australian Inland Waters.’ (Co-operative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology: Albury, NSW, Australia.)

Sousa, R., Gutiérrez, J. L., and Aldridge, D. C. (2009). Non-indigenous invasive bivalves as ecosystem engineers. Biological Invasions 11, 2367–2385.
Non-indigenous invasive bivalves as ecosystem engineers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Strayer, D. L., Caraco, N. F., Cole, J. F., Findlay, S., and Pace, M. L. (1999). Transformation of freshwater ecosystem by bivalves. Bioscience 49, 19–27.
Transformation of freshwater ecosystem by bivalves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Thorp, J. H., and Casper, A. F. (2003). Importance of biotic interactions in large rivers: an experiment with planktivorous fish, dreissenid mussels and zooplankton in the St. Lawrence River. River Research and Applications 19, 265–279.
Importance of biotic interactions in large rivers: an experiment with planktivorous fish, dreissenid mussels and zooplankton in the St. Lawrence River.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Vaughn, C. C., and Havenkamp, C. C. (2001). The functional role of burrowing bivalves in freshwater ecosystems. Freshwater Biology 46, 1431–1446.
The functional role of burrowing bivalves in freshwater ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Vaughn, C. C., Nichols, S. J., and Spooner, D. E. (2008). Community and food web ecology of freshwater mussels. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 27, 409–423.
Community and food web ecology of freshwater mussels.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Walker, K. F., Jones, H. A., and Klunzinger, M. W. (2014). Bivalves in a bottleneck: taxonomy, phylogeography and conservation of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionoida) in Australasia. Hydrobiologia 735, 61–79.
Bivalves in a bottleneck: taxonomy, phylogeography and conservation of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionoida) in Australasia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Whitten, A. L., Marin Jarrin, J. R., and McNaught, A. S. (2018). A mesocosm investigation of the effects of quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) on Lake Michigan zooplankton assemblages. Journal of Great Lakes Research 44, 105–113.
A mesocosm investigation of the effects of quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) on Lake Michigan zooplankton assemblages.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Zieritz, A., Bogan, A. E., Froufe, E., Klishko, O., Kondo, T., Kovitvadhi, U., Kovitvadhi, S., Lee, , JH, , Lopes-Lima, M., Pfeiffer, J. M., Sousa, R., Do, T. V., Vikhrev, I., and Zanatta, D. T. (2018). Diversity, biogeography and conservation of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) in east and Southeast Asia. Hydrobiologia 810, 29–44.
Diversity, biogeography and conservation of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) in east and Southeast Asia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |