Could dreissenid veligers be the lost biomass of invaded lakes

AbstractThe ecological effects of invading adult zebra and quagga mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis, respectively) are well-documented worldwide, but the ecology and fate of their veliger larvae are poorly understood. We addressed potential errors encountered when estimating veliger biomass. Faced with uncertainty surrounding an established length–mass relationship for veligers, we developed a new dry mass relationship that works for both fresh and formalin-preserved animals. We used this new equation to estimate that veliger dry biomass averaged 74 ± 0.6% of the values obtained from the established equation. Therefore, researchers who assumed the established equation yielded wet mass and applied correction factors of 10 to 50% would have underestimated biomass. Use of coarse-mesh nets also leads to underestimates of biomass. We found that 153-µm-mesh nets captured only 3 to 27% of individuals, or 10 to 66% of veliger biomass captured in 64-μm-mesh nets. We also examined temporal trends...