Zebra Mussels in the Neosho River Basin, Kansas: Assessing Dispersal, Colonization, and Reproductive Chronology Benjamin R. Smith1, Skyler E. Delmott1, Jason M. Goeckler2, and David R. Edds1 Emporia State University1 Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism2 2 3 Zebra Mussel Infested Sites in Kansas Populations have been detected in many reservoirs in the state. ⃝ 2003, detected in Kansas in El Dorado Reservoir. 2008, detected in Marion Reservoir. 2010, detected in Council Grove City Lake and John Redmond Reservoir. 2011, detected in Council Grove Reservoir. Sampling Sites in the Upper Neosho River Basin N 5 Dispersal Dynamics Differential Colonization of Two River Systems • Cottonwood River population established in 2008 • Neosho River population established in 2010 Seasonal Variation in Gametogenesis of Adult Zebra Mussels • Gametogenesis is known to vary seasonally. • But it is unstudied south of the 40th parallel. 8 Zebra Mussel Size at Maturity • Known to be reproductively mature between 5 and 12 mm. • But it is unknown at what size they mature in Kansas. 9 Zebra Mussel Time to Maturity • Known to be reproductively mature between 5 weeks and several months. •But it is not known how quickly they become reproductively mature in Kansas. 10 Economic Impacts of Zebra Mussels in the Neosho River Basin Ksu.edu 11 Usgs.gov Zonal Colonization of Reservoir Reaches • Each reservoir is divided into 3 reaches Upper Middle Lower 14 15 Zonal Colonization of Reservoir Reaches (veligers) 1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 Mean # veligers per per liter # veligers Mean 0.2 0 Upper Middle Lower 17 19 Zonal Colonization of Reservoir Reaches 3500 (adults) 3000 2500 2000 1500 Mean # adultsMean 1000 500 0 Upper Middle Lower Effects of Lowhead Dams • Lowhead dams artificially • Provide ample structure for slow rivers behind dam. mussels to colonize. Effects of Lowhead Dams (veligers) 1.2 ↓ 1 ↓ 0.8 0.6 0.4 Mean # veligers per per liter # veligers Mean ↓ 0.2 0 Ulysses Cedar Point Camp Wood Cottonwood Saffordville Soden's Bird Bridge Dam Falls Dam Grove Dam Effects of Lowhead Dams (adults) 140 120 100 ↓ 80 60 Mean # AdultsMean 40 ↓ 20 ↓ 0 Ulysses Cedar Point Camp Wood Cottonwood Saffordville Soden's Grove Bird Bridge Dam Falls Dam Dam Differential Colonization of Materials • Zebra mussels colonize different Raw Steel Galvanized Steel substrates to differing degrees. Pressure-treated Wood PVC • Coatings can be used to minimize Concrete zebra mussel colonization. Aluminum Native Unionid Shell Fluoropolymer Foul-Release Coating 25 3-Month Material Colonization 30 25 20 15 10 # settled individuals # settled 5 X X X Χ Χ Χ 0 Summary A. Dispersal dynamics B. Differential colonization of two river systems C. Seasonal variation in gametogenesis of adult zebra mussels D. Zebra mussel size at maturity E. Zebra mussel time to maturity F. Economic impacts of zebra mussels in the Neosho River Basin G. Zonal colonization of reservoir reaches H. Effects of lowhead dams I. Differential colonization of materials 27 Susan Steffen Dr. Dwight Moore Dr. Tim Burnett Dr. William Jensen Bobbi Wendt Dr. Brent Thomas Dr. Gary Wyatt Dr. Marshall Sundberg Dr. John Schrock Dr. Melissa Bailey Arthur Janssen Dr. Allen Skaja Roger Ferguson Juanita Bartley Kenneth Kopp Landowners Jim Bagley 29.