Taxonomic Services: Zebra and Quagga Mussel Veligers

Zebra and Quagga mussels are aquatic invasive species in North America. Their introduction into local water sources poses a serious threat as they out-compete native organisms and attach to hard surfaces occluding pipes in municipal and industrial raw-water systems.

Monitoring for larval zebra and quagga mussels is advantageous as they drift in the water column for weeks before they settle and attach to structures and their presence can provide an early warning system.