Project background
Despite zebra mussels being wildly successful at reproducing and spreading in Minnesota lakes, they are incredibly difficult to maintain and propagate in a lab setting. This presents a challenge for researchers because many studies require multiple generations of zebra mussels to assess the long term impacts of control options, particularly genetic methods. MAISRC researchers are learning how to sustain zebra mussels in a lab setting in order to learn more about them.
Phase II research findings:
Developing new ways to control zebra mussels, including potential genetic biocontrol approaches, requires scientists to be able to reliably raise them in the laboratory. MAISRC researchers are making progress toward that goal by learning more about the food, environmental conditions, and reproductive needs of zebra mussels in a lab.
The team expanded its ability to grow different types of algae, giving zebra mussels a more diverse diet. They also developed improved spawning methods that produced more reliable reproduction and more zebra mussel larvae. Larvae are now developing to an important early stage in just 3-5 days, compared with 8-12 days previously, and surviving for up to 13 days. Researchers also observed zebra mussel larvae consuming a new food source for the first time, providing useful information for improving their diets.
The research shows meaningful progress toward reliably raising zebra mussels in controlled laboratory conditions, although challenges remain. Continued improvements in zebra mussel culture will help scientists develop and test new control strategies and advance research aimed at protecting Minnesota’s waterways.
Phase I
Title: Rearing Zebra Mussels in the MAISRC Containment Lab
Project manager: Nick Phelps, MAISRC
Funded by: MAISRC and the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources
Project timeline: Jan. 2021 - Dec. 2024
Findings: Researchers made important progress toward completing the zebra mussel life cycle in the laboratory by developing reliable methods for growing algae, maintaining adult mussels, inducing spawning, and rearing larvae. The team successfully cultured the algae needed to feed adult mussels and refined spawning techniques, including a new method for collecting fresh sperm that helped improve fertilization efforts. While spawning success increased later in the summer, especially for mussels collected from Big Wolf Lake, relatively few females produced eggs and overall egg production remained low, limiting the number of larvae that could be raised. Despite these challenges, improved water quality and feeding methods allowed some larvae to survive and develop to eight days of age, providing valuable insights into zebra mussel reproduction and helping researchers identify the next steps needed to establish a fully self-sustaining laboratory population.
Phase II
Project managers: Ben Minerich; Seth Stapleton; MN Zoo
Funded by: MAISRC and the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources
Project timeline: 2024 - 2026
Research findings:
Developing new ways to control zebra mussels, including potential genetic biocontrol approaches, requires scientists to be able to reliably raise them in the laboratory. MAISRC researchers are making progress toward that goal by learning more about the food, environmental conditions, and reproductive needs of zebra mussels in a lab.
The team expanded its ability to grow different types of algae, giving zebra mussels a more diverse diet. They also developed improved spawning methods that produced more reliable reproduction and more zebra mussel larvae. Larvae are now developing to an important early stage in just 3-5 days, compared with 8-12 days previously, and surviving for up to 13 days. Researchers also observed zebra mussel larvae consuming a new food source for the first time, providing useful information for improving their diets.
The research shows meaningful progress toward reliably raising zebra mussels in controlled laboratory conditions, although challenges remain. Continued improvements in zebra mussel culture will help scientists develop and test new control strategies and advance research aimed at protecting Minnesota’s waterways.