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Adrian, D. J., T. A. Ferro, H. T. Keppner, 1994. Relative Abundance of Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and Quagga Mussels (Dreissena bugensis) in Eastern Lake Erie. AquaTech Environmental, Inc.. Proceedings of The Fourth International Zebra Mussel Conference, Madison, Wisconsin, March 1994 Relative Abundance of Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and Quagga Mussels (Dreissena bugensis) in Eastern Lake ErieThe discovery of a second dreissenid in the Great Lakes has created a great deal of interest in comparative research between the two species. Recent studies in the Great Lakes suggest that the quagga mussel may become more abundant than the zebra mussel in certain habitats. This phenomenon appears to occur more frequently in deep water locations. A preliminary field study was performed in the eastern basin of Lake Erie near Buffalo, New York on Seneca Shoals, to compare relative abundance of zebra and quagga mussels. Seneca Shoals is a shallow reef site, approximately 5.5 meters deep, characterized by rocky substrate. Collections were made using a benthic sled towed along a transect. Mussels were differentiated and quantified to determine the relative abundance of the two dreissenids. This study suggests that quagga mussels have become a prominent member of the benthic community and, in fact are more abundant than D. polymorpha. At onetime this shallow area was dominated by D. polymorpha, however, over the last several seasons quagga mussels have become more abundant. Preliminary data suggest that 61% of the dreissenid mussel population is composed of quagga mussels. The remaining 39% of the dreissenid population is composed of zebra mussels. Complete summarization of the study, including size frequency of the two dreissenids, will be reported.
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