Baldwin, B. S.,   A. S. Pooley,   R. A. Lutz,   Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University; Y. Hu - Department of Zoology and Physiology, Louisiana State University;   D. B. Conn - Department of Biology, University of the South;  V. S. Kennedy - Horn Point Environmental Laboratory, University of Maryland. 1994.   Identification of Larval and Postlarval Zebra Mussels and Co-occurring Bivalves in Freshwater and Estuarine Habitats using Shell Morphology.

Proceedings of The Fourth International Zebra Mussel Conference, Madison, Wisconsin, March 1994

Identification of Larval and Postlarval Zebra Mussels and Co-occurring Bivalves in Freshwater and Estuarine Habitats using Shell Morphology

Abstract
Studies on the spread, recruitment, ecological impact or control of nuisance bivalves require reliable species identification, especially of larval and postlarval stages. We have used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques to discriminate among the larval and postlarval stages of the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and other potentially co-occurring bivalves from freshwater and estuarine habitats, such as the Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea), the dark false mussel (Mytilopsis leucophaeata), and the wedge clam (Rangia cuneata) . Detailed SEM micrograph sequences of larval and postlarval stages illustrate differences in hinge morphology and shell morphometery that appear to be species-specific. For example, larvae of D. polymorpha can be distinguished from the other species above based on their prominent hinge teeth. Postlarvae of D. polymorpha do not appear to have lateral or cardinal teeth and they develop an elongated shell directed in a postero-ventral direction with a relatively straight anterior margin and a somewhat square posterior margin. The above diagnostic features allow discrimination among the crucial, early life stages of bivalve species collected in plankton or benthic samples.

Entire Paper
Keywords: Basic_biology, Bivalve, Ecological_interactions, Zebra_mussel
Product Type: Publication, Proceedings
User Type: General