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Invasive zebra mussels (Driessena polymorpha) and Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) survive gut passage of migratory fish species: implications for dispersal

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Abstract

The introduction and spread of invasive species is of great concern to natural resource managers in the United States. To effectively control the spread of these species, managers must be aware of the multitude of dispersal methods used by the organisms. We investigated the potential for survival through the gut of a migrating fish (blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus) as a dispersal mechanism for two invasive bivalves: zebra mussel (Driessena polymorpha) and Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea). Blue catfish (N = 62) were sampled over several months from Sooner Lake, Oklahoma, transported to a laboratory and held in individual tanks for 48 h. All fecal material was collected and inspected for live mussels. Survival was significantly related to water temperature in the lake at the time of collection, with no mussels surviving above 21.1 C°, whereas 12 % of zebra mussels (N = 939) and 39 % of Asian clams (N = 408) consumed in cooler water survived gut passage. This research demonstrates the potential for blue catfish to serve as a dispersal vector for invasive bivalves at low water temperatures.

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Acknowledgments

We thank J. Burtka, J. Duck, J. Gatlin, C. Miller, D. Moore, M. Porta, J. Schmitt, R. Stewart, A. Still, B. Wilson, and D. Zhang for help with data collection, J. Bidwell and C. Boeckman for advice on mussel physiology, the Lew Wentz Foundation and Oklahoma State University’s Department of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Management for funding, and the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Wildlife Management Institute cooperating) for logistical support. The use of trade names or products does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Government. This study was conducted under a protocol approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Oklahoma State University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management 008c Ag Hall, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA

    Michael R. Gatlin

  2. Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management 008c Ag Hall, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA

    Daniel E. Shoup

  3. U.S. Geological Survey, Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources Ecology and Management 007 Ag Hall, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA

    James M. Long

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  1. Michael R. Gatlin
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  2. Daniel E. Shoup
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  3. James M. Long
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Correspondence to Michael R. Gatlin.

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Gatlin, M.R., Shoup, D.E. & Long, J.M. Invasive zebra mussels (Driessena polymorpha) and Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) survive gut passage of migratory fish species: implications for dispersal. Biol Invasions 15, 1195–1200 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-012-0372-0

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