Document Type
Article
Abstract
As of November 2021, zebra mussels were confirmed in 270 Minnesotan lakes with another 232 lakes listed as infested due to their connection or proximity to where zebra mussels have been found. With lack of effective treatments to impede their spread, zebra mussels continue to colonize new areas causing ecological as well as economic harm. The goal of this study was to establish a length-weight relationship for the zebra mussel population in Lake Bemidji using shell length (SL) and wet weight (WW), as well as to assess substrate type and log transformed shell length as predictors of log transformed zebra mussel wet weight. The selected substrate types were driftwood, cobble-sized stones (64-256 mm in diameter), and native unionids to include a variety of bottom-types commonly found throughout the lake. The established length-weight relationship was as follows: log WW (g) = -9.2964 + 3.0998 log SL (mm). Regression analysis demonstrated that zebra mussel shell length alone was the best predictor of mussel wet weight. Substrate type showed relatively less support compared to other models with less predictive value overall compared to shell length.
Publication Date
2022
Recommended Citation
Kehne, Mitch, "Zebra Mussel Length-Weight Relationships Across Various Substrate Types in Lake Bemidji" (2022). Journal of Earth and Life Science. 7.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/j-earth-life-sci/7
Included in
Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Biology Commons, Environmental Health and Protection Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons, Water Resource Management Commons
Comments
Faculty sponsor: Dr. Andrew Hafs, Department of Biology, Aquatic Biology Program